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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Sweet success for Meade in Bellewstown opener

Thu 4th Jul 2024, 16:40

Sugar Club and Colin KeaneSugar Club and Colin Keane
© Photo Healy Racing

A fine third on debut at Leopardstown last month, Sugar Club went a few places better in the opener at Bellewstown this evening, the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.

Bought for E17,000 at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, the Noel Meade-trained bay was expected to make the breakthrough this evening, going off the 11/10 favourite.

Soon in a share of the lead, the Liam Queally-owned victor established an outright advantage from halfway and had all her rivals off the bridle from the two-furlong pole.

With Colin Keane aboard, who carried two pounds overweight, she kept on well in the closing stages and came home three-lengths to the good.

Newcomer Luscious (7/2) filled the runner-up spot under James Ryan for Ger Lyons, while the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Now (10/3) was a head way in third.

Meade said: "She's a nice filly and we like her a lot. She had an inside draw and he (Keane) just said he would keep it simple.

"She had a lovely run in Leopardstown when Jamie (Powell) rode her and he minded her well.

"She's a lovely filly and I would think she has a future."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

1st
11/10Fav
Tote €2.10 €1.10
2nd
3L
7/2
€1.10
3rd
hd
10/3
€1.20
4th
4.5L
40/1
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.