Adonesque landed the Listed Blue Wind Stakes at Cork yesterday evening but only after a pulsating finish as the Sadler's Wells filly held off dead-heaters Dearly and Lime Gardens by a shorthead.
Adonesque raced keenly in the early stages under Niall McCullagh, and led early in the straight before holding on by the minimum margin in an exciting conclusion. Lime Gardens finished best of all on the outer, and would have got up in another stride.
"I was a bit worried how she would handle the firm ground after two outings on the soft. She will go next for a Listed race at Gowran Park, or perhaps the Pretty Polly Stakes," said winning trainer John Oxx.
Michael Grassick was "delighted" with Lime Gardens. "She needs a mile and a half. The Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks is her target. She will probably run next in a mile and three furlongs race at Naas (June 21st)."
Philip Rothwell has enjoyed a rich vein of form since the resumption of racing last month, and Experimental added to the Tinahely trainer's tally when gaining a comfortable victory in the O'Malley Construction Handicap.
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