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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Starry Eyed proves too strong for maiden rivals under Heffernan

Wed 30th Aug 2023, 16:08

Starry Eyed and Seamus Heffernan win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden Healy Racing Photo Starry Eyed and Seamus Heffernan win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden Healy Racing Photo
© Photo Healy Racing

Starry Eyed made her vast experience count in order to see off some lesser exposed rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies & Mares Maiden in Cork.

The Aidan O'Brien trained daughter of Galileo had been placed on three of her previous five starts, arguably unlucky to bump into some smart fillies on a couple of occasions.

Smartly away from stalls under Seamie Heffernan this afternoon, she made this a real test, in doing so, staying on best to gain that all important winning bracket.

Main market rival Feathertop threw down a strong challenge over a furlong out but could never get to the O'Brien trained winner. Debutant Mirror In Space shaped with plenty of promise on her debut, eventually going down narrowly back in third.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "She is a lovely filly but has taken a bit of time to come to hand. She had a very good run in a very strong maiden at the Curragh the last day and Seamus gave her a straightforward ride today.

"A mile and a quarter is probably her trip, we'll step her up and look for blacktype now.

"She has a hell of a pedigree, she is very good physically and will be one for the broodmare shed - if we can get blacktype it'll be even better."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.