Tipitena (Billy Lee) beating Royal Illusion (right) and Hazel Bay© Photo Healy Racing
Tipitena far from disgraced in Listed company on her reappearance at Cork, reversed previous places with Hazel Bay to open her account in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Roscommon.
Hazel Bay was easy to back and the 6/4 favourite set the pace in this mile and a half event.
However the distress signals went up on the favourite well over a furlong out and Billy Lee seized the opportunity by switching Tipitena to challenge on the inner.
The 7/1 chance quickened up nicely and held on well to beat Royal Illusion by three quarters of a length with Hazel Bay a further neck back in third.
Winning trainer Willie McCreery said, “She was a little bit keen the last day in Cork but we learned from that to settle her today. She quickened up beautifully up the rail and that bit of speed seemed to catch them out
“I have her in the Group 3 Munster Oaks (June 14) in Cork and she’ll probably go for that. She’s a grand big filly and is still learning her game. She gave a good blow there so she’ll improve again. That’s the quickest ground she’s run on.”
