Landikusic (nose band) and Kevin Manning hold off Ellaria© Photo Healy Racing
Landikusic confirmed the promise of a number of recent outings on the Polytrack when opening her account in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Maiden at Dundalk.
Kevin Manning had the daughter of Dansili prominent throughout, and she struck the front about two furlongs out in this mile event.
The 11/4 chance had to dig deep inside the final furlong to hold off the challenge of Ellaria by a head, with the well-backed 7/4 favourite Pure Action a length and a half back in third.
Ger Flynn, representing winning trainer Jim Bolger said, "“She ran well here the last day and handled the surface really well. Kevin said she stepped up from the last day and she’s done it now.
“She battled and was game all the way to the line. She had to be as Ger Lyons’ filly came there upsides her and it was a ding dong battle.
“It’s good to win a maiden with her. She’s a full-sister to Zoffany so it means a lot. It’s important and it’s nice for the American owners (LNJ Foxwoods Partnership).”
Manning said, “She’d a good run here the last night. I let her go about her business from the turn in and she gets that trip well. I had a little question mark whether Ger’s one (Ellaria) would get the trip and that’s why I went plenty early as I knew my filly would stay going.
"It’s very important for these well-bred fillies to get a winning bracket.”
(GC & AM)
