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Donal Murphy
First time visor helps Karkiyna to maiden win
Karkiyna comes home an easy winner under Ben Coen
© Photo Healy Racing
Karkiyna made the breakthrough on her eighth start as she made virtually all in the last at Fairyhouse, the CPAC Modular Building Ingenuity Fillies Maiden.
A beaten odds-on favourite on her most recent start at Gowran, the Johnny Murtagh trained bay was sent off a 9/4 chance this evening, wearing a visor for the first time.
Soon in front under Ben Coen, the Aga Khan owned three-year-old was ridden over a furlong out and stretched clear, coming home an easy three-and-a-half length victor. Giulia Frasi (12/1) ran on well to take second under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington, while the Donnacha O'Brien trained Red Azalea (6/4f) was another length-and-a-half away in third.
"She's been working well at home but had been hitting the cross-bar every time we ran her," said Coen, who's brother Jake earlier scored aboard Snapius in the opener.
"We said we'd put the visor on her and let her use her stride. She seemed to enjoy it going from the front there, she quickened up well and stayed going well.
"She's not overly big but she's hardy and tries hard. It's nice to get that win into her."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson