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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Actress puts on a Curragh show

Sat 15th Jul 2017, 17:25

Actress heads for home in the CurraghActress heads for home in the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing

Actress sprang a 7/1 surprise in the five runner Group Three Anglesey Stakes over an extended six furlongs in the Curragh.

Aidan O'Brien's filly raced in a close third on the outer of hot-favourite Brother Bear and Theobald who disputed the lead.

She was on terms at halfway and once Brother Bear was asked for his effort in the final quarter of a mile he hung left as he did in the Coventry at Royal Ascot.

Actress kept gun-barrel straight and held a definite lead in the final furlong. She galloped home under Seamie Heffernan to win by a length and three quarters.

Theobald, on his second start after winning a mile maiden at Leopardstown, kept on for second at 10/3. Brother Bear (evens favourite) was half a length back in third having drifted over to the stand-side rail.

Seamie Heffernan said: "I rode her last week over five and I thought they didn't go quick enough for me as I thought she was an out-and-out sprinter.

“I didn't think she'd see out the trip as well today but I kept her at it. If they have a bit of pace and want to go forward it's better to leave them at it.

“I knew when I saw Kevin (Manning on Theobald) give his horse a slap I had him beaten and then I could see Colm (O'Donoghue) getting further away from me. I was fairly confident after giving her one tap it was mine.

“I'd say being by Declaration Of War the fast ground is a fair help.

"She had a very good run last week in Tipperary and she's hardy. It has taken her a while to come but when Aidan's two year-olds come they can take racing.

"I was drawn in the middle of the track and I came up the middle of the track. I tried to uncomplicate things, she won very easily."

This gave Aidan O'Brien a double on the card as he also supplied The Pentagon to win the opening maiden.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.