Wise Men Say and Shane Foley© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from a double at Leopardstown on Thursday evening, Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington were quick out of the blocks when Wise Men Say landed the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at Cork.
Fourth on his racecourse debut at Bellewstown earlier this month, the juvenile showed the benefit of that previous experience to overturn that form with 10/11f favourite Sharkii
Sluggish from stalls, Foley had to push the colt along in the early stages but once coming back on the bridle after a couple of furlongs, he travelled nicely into the race.
Moving into third over a furlong out, the 5/1 chance came through to head Gazelle D'Or over 100 yards from the finish to win by a length.
Sharkii got going late under Gavin Ryan staying on for minor honours close home.
Con Marnane, father of the winning owners said: "He is a smasher and wants to go further. He was off the bridle two or three furlongs out and when he gets up to seven (furlongs) or a mile he will be a lovely horse. Jessie and Dusty (Shane Foley) have done a super job with him.
"He is a good size, being 16.1hh, is a perfect model, wants good ground and would be ideal for America.
"They did a serious, serious job with that (straight) track when they did it as there isn't a ridge on it. It is perfect."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
