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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Good start with Wexford's racing left on level
Faseeha and Leigh Roche leads winner For Goodness Sake and Shane Foley in
© Photo Healy Racing
With Georgia On My Mind out due to the going, Faseeha went off odds-on for Wexford's first left-handed Flat race, but with the ground testing it was hardly surprising to see a daughter of Yeats come out on top, with For Goodness Sake best in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Fillies Maiden.
Faseeha stumbled slightly early and had to be bustled up to get a 'possie,' but she was soon in prime position on the gallop under Leigh Roche. He struck for home on the daughter of Teofilo from over three furlongs out.
Shane Foley was in pursuit on John Murphy's For Goodness Sake from two furlongs out though, and she led from over a furlong out.
Despite 'lugging' in towards the running rail the 4/1 chance (from 6s, much bigger earlier before the defection of Georgia On My Mind) went on to prevail by a length and a quarter.
John Murphy's other hope, Pure Drama (7/2), was three and a half lengths off them in third.
"I've always liked her and she's improved with each run. It was probably a weak race and she should stay further," suggested Murphy.
For his part Foley stated: "I had a nice sit behind Leigh the whole way and he took me into the race well. She quickened well and enjoyed the slow ground and travelled well.
"She was keen for the first 100 yards and I was happy to get the lead and as soon as I got her in behind one or two she switched off. We went steady, the ground is holding and tacky and we didn't exactly finish out that strong. It's actually quite a stiff track now.
"It rode well, when the ground is slow like that it sorts them all out."
The Stewards informed Miss Evanna McCutcheon, trainer that Crocosmia would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
(DM & EM)