Malayan asserts under Colin Keane © Photo Healy Racing
Malayan (15/2) won the Lord Hemphill Memorial Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden to give Colin Keane his third winner of the week at Galway.
The daughter of The Gurkha, sixth on debut at Fairyhouse, chased the leaders before picking up well in the straight to challenge from the furlong marker.
Despite edging to her left, she ran on well to score by three quarters of a length from Pride Of Derry (17/2) with Mount Fairweather (2/1) another half a length back in third.
The runner-up didn’t get a clear run early in the straight before running on well in the final furlong and looked somewhat unlucky.
It was a fourth winner of the week for Dermot Weld, who has supplied all three of Keane's winners.
“The step up in trip helped and she obviously came on for her first run,” said Keane.
“Chris (Hayes) liked her the first day when he rode her, he felt she was plenty green and would come on a good bit.
“She's still a filly that rides plenty green so you'd imagine she will improve a good bit yet and in time I'd imagine she will get an extra furlong if needs be.
“She could be a nice filly going forward because I'd say there is a lot of improvement yet to come from her.
“She was good and game, even though she didn't really know what she was doing. She's probably a filly with a nice bit of ability.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
