Golden Pearl, centre, beats Clear Cut, right, in Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
A pair of newcomers dominated the finish of the six furlong juvenile maiden at Fairyhouse as Golden Pearl (7/1) pipped Clear Cut by a short head. Palavicini Run on her third outing, jumped away smartly under Fran Berry to quickly assume the lead. Aldo Raine tracked her in second with Clear Cut and Golden Pearl racing in a close-up fourth and fifth respectively.
Aldo Raine moved up to ask questions of Palavicini Run at the two pole as Clear Cut and Golden Pearl were encouraged by their jockeys to set off in pursuit.
Aldo Raine's challenge petered out at the furlong marker as Palavicini Run boxed on. However, Golden Pearl and Clear Cut were almost on terms.
Golden Pearl zoomed to the front inside the final 150 yards with Clear Cut, on her outer, breathing down her neck. The pair left Palavicini Run in third as they battled their way to the line but it was Golden Pearl and Shane Foley who held a narrow advantage that they clung on to.
Winning trainer Mick Halford said: "She's a nice filly and well bred. She was quite backward and we took our time with her.
"Michael (Enright) has been very patient with her. He's a great man to train for and there is no pressure.
"We bought her at the Orby sales this time last year and she's a smart filly.
"Shane said they went steady and sprinted. She got a bit unbalanced and rolled around but when the penny dropped she hit the line well.
"I like her and she's done well to do that considering she's still on the weak side. It's beautiful ground out there and it's good to get her out.
"I'll talk to Michael but I'd say she'll do well over the winter and we might leave it at that."
Jim Bolger 's runner-up Clear Cut was sent off the 11/4 favourite. He holds Group One entries in the Dewhurst and Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Palavicini Run kept on for third. She was returned at 16/1, backed in from 25/1. She was thee and three quarter lengths adrift of the runner-up.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
