Australia Filly Strides Clear To Maiden Success

Dawn Spirit (3f Australia – Nocturnal Nemesis, by Dansili) produced a smart performance to run out a clear winner of the three-year-old fillies’ maiden at Cork on Tuesday evening.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien for owner/breeder Al Shira’aa Racing, the daughter of Australia encountered good ground for the first time on her third racecourse appearance. Racing prominently from the break under Dylan Browne McMonagle, she was pushed along to lead two furlongs from home and was in command entering the final furlong. Staying on strongly, she went on to beat the favourite Inventress (Mastercraftsman) by three and a quarter lengths, the pair finishing three and three quarter lengths clear of the third horse.

The winning rider later commented: “She is a nice filly, has always shown more at home than in her two runs but the last day she didn't like being crowded. Today I broke well and was able to get up behind the leaders and I had a nice target to aim at. She quickened up well.

“She is a big filly and probably improved plenty from her first start of the year in the Curragh and hopefully it is onwards and upwards now. I'm sure she'll have no problem going a mile and a half.”