Yulong Gold Fairy (noseband) comes with her run under Shane Foley © Photo Healy Racing
Retained jockey for owner Zhang Yuesheng, Shane Foley rode his first winner for Dermot Weld when landing the Listed Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes on Yulong Gold Fairy at Galway.
A first winner at the 2018 summer festival for the Rosewell House maestro, Yulong Gold Fairy was confirming the merit of her Irish 1000 Guineas fifth placing behind star filly Alpha Centauri.
She was certainly backed to do so as well, ending up a 13/8 market leader from an opening price of 2/1 at the track and bigger earlier.
Foley had to be strong on the daughter of Mount Nelson to get her home, but he had a willing partner as she beat Panstarr and Ship Of Dreams by a neck and a short head. I Can Fly came home well for fourth place, half a length adrift.
"She had the form in the book, a good run in the Guineas, and she handles this ground well," said Foley.
"I had a good draw, followed two fancied ones, and I was able to slip down the hill to follow Kevin (Manning on Panstarr) which was ideal. For a stride or two I thought I was down the rail but it worked out perfect.
"It's heavy for us Flat lads now, it's loose but heavy, and you could see us there that we were finishing tired enough. She's a good genuine filly.
"That's my first winner for Dermot Weld. I'm retained now by Mr Zhang and it's a good job to get in my first year as a freelance.
"It's nice to ride some big winners and especially to ride one for Mr Weld around Galway is very good.
"I spoke with Leigh (Roche) and spoke with Pat (Smullen) this morning and they said 'you've a good draw, box seat, she handles the ground, have one go at them' and thankfully it worked out.
"Back up to a mile will be no problem. She's all heart, very very genuine and I had a very willing partner in the last 100 yards because she was out on her head a bit. She was after having a little blow so there is a bit of improvement there again.
"She was just behind Who's Steph in Leopardstown on her first start on heavy ground, she's won down here on heavy ground and won the Foran on heavy ground so we knew that wasn't going to be an issue. She's a handy little filly but she handles it very well."
W.J. Lee, rider of Patuano trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not stride out fluently at any stage of this race.
(GC & EM)
