Zariyna wins again for Halford The Mick Halford trained Zariyna followed up on her recent win at the Curragh as she took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap under Johnny Murtagh. The 3yo daughter of Marju was sent off the 5/1 joint favourite for the 1m 1f contest having drifted from her morning price of 10/3 and her opening show on course of 9/2. Despite the lack of market confidence she came with her effort two furlongs out and was second behind Oh Happy Days a furlong from home. She kept on best inside the final furlong, hitting the front and going on to score by a length and a quarter. Having finished third at Galway on Sunday and after winning at Sligo yesterday evening, the Harry Rogers trained Cheval Rouge was out again today and she put in another admirable performance to finish second at 11/1 under Danny Grant. Oh Happy Days had to settle for third a further neck behind at 12/1 under Wayne Lordan for David Wachman. The gambled Along Came Casey (12/1 overnight with Paddy Powers into 5/1 joint favourite at the off) for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen pulled up early in the race as if something was amiss. Winning trainer Mick Halford said afterwards: "She is improving and settling better in her races. She is going the right way and is progressive. "She takes her racing well and is a good genuine filly. She is entered in a Listed race at Gowran next week but we will see how she comes out of this first." (On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
