Statement (left) leads home Monaasib (noseband)© Photo Healy Racing
Statement made virtually all in the feature at Cork this afternoon, the Listed Navigation Stakes.
Previously trained in the UK by Martyn Meade and Kevin Ryan, the daughter of Lawman was seventh of eight on her debut for Joseph O'Brien in the Boomerang Mile at Leopardstown earlier this month.
Well-fancied this afternoon and sent off the 10/3 favourite (5s in early shows), the four-year-old was soon sent to the front by Dylan Browne-McMonagle in the colours of the Triumvirate Partnership .
She kicked a few lengths clear from the two furlong pole and while her advantage was reduced inside the final furlong, she was always doing enough to hold off the late surge of Monaasib by a neck.
The runner-up came from off the pace under Chris Hayes for Kevin Prendergast and was returned a 13/2, while the easy-to-back Georgeville (6/1 from 7/2) was another two lengths away in third.
"Last time we dropped her in, she never lost her position and kept galloping and Dylan said that day she wanted 1m2f," assistant trainer Brendan Powell revealed.
"He made plenty use of her over a mile today, stacked them up and started stretching them from three-and-a-half (furlongs) out.
"He nearly dropped his stick at one stage, that's why he didn't hit her and used hands and heels. He said she won nicely and would go further.
"Her run in a Group 3 in Epsom was a good run as you wouldn't say that that would be her track with her physique - she is a heavy-topped filly. She is going the right way and I think there is more improvement in her."
STEWARDS REPORT
W.J. Lee, rider of Great Max trained by M.D. O'Callaghan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that he had to sit up momentarily, but felt it was of little consequence.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
