Haparanda (noseband) leads home her rivals under Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Haparanda justified favouritism in the feature at Galway this evening, the Listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes.
A dual-winner last season, the Dermot Weld trained bay was third in the Lenabane Stakes at Roscommon on her most recent start.
Sent off the 5/2 market leader today, the Rock Of Gibraltar bay raced towards rear under Colin Keane, taking closer order on the outer with half a mile to race.
She was pushed along to lead from the two furlong pole and kept on well when ridden in the straight, coming home two-and-a-quarter lengths to the good. Woodland Garden (10/1), who attempted to make all, finished second under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien, while Merrior (3/1 from 15/2 early) was another three lengths away in third, with Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard this one for Joseph O'Brien.
Weld said in the aftermath: "She did it nicely, it was a lovely ride from Colin and she was a good consistent filly last year. She was stakes placed this year and I wanted to win one with her and I think there is more to come.
"It was a proper race for her and the way she won, I'd be confident of winning more black-type with her.
"She is very versatile and has won on all grounds. Coming into the autumn, she is reaching her peak now and while she is entered at the weekend, it was only in case today didn't happen and she won't run. We'll look for another stakes race."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
