With Love (blue) beats Voce Del Palio © Photo Healy Racing
After a promising debut effort when fourth at the Curragh last month, the 2/1 joint-favourite With Love got off the mark in good style in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race.
Pushed along in third by Seamie Heffernan on the approach to the straight, the daughter of Territories picked up well once getting balanced after the turn for home. She headed fellow joint-favourite Voce Del Palio a furlong out and went to beat that rival by a length and a quarter.
Winning trainer Kevin Coleman said: “We expected her to do it but you have to come and do it and she had to beat two winners.
“Seamie said it was never in doubt. She wouldn't show a whole lot at home but he thinks she's fairly good.
“She's never been in front, she's lazy at home and gets a lead every day. She's not one that will go out and lead the string, you wouldn't know that she's there. Seamie said sometimes they are the ones you want.
“She was good today and Seamie said she won't show (her ability) until she goes up in level so hopefully we can go up a level now.
“They are a couple of stakes races over seven coming up but I stay out of that and the lads will decide that.
“We wanted to see today how the seven would go and if she didn't win we were going back for a maiden.
“There is the Silver Flash here in July but I'm not one to jump the gun. We can actually think of that now.”
Quotes from Gary Carson