KEY CHANGE, trained by John Oxx and carrying the colours of Lady Clague, made all under John Murtagh to land the featured Avonmore Classic Trial at a crowded Gowran Park yesterday.
A drifter from 8 to 11 to even money in the market, the Darshaan filly set a steady gallop from the outset and, despite running wide at the first bend, settled again before quickening nicely when challenged by market rival, His Excellence, at the two marker to score by one and a half lengths.
It didn't really suit her to make all today, but we decided to make it a true gallop to test the stamina doubts of the opposition. She really needs a lead and she'll go next for the Ribbesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot next month," said the winning trainer.
Dermot Weld introduced a well-bred daughter of Dayjur, Diali, to win the Copper Beach Maiden. The $200.000 yearling purchase. a three-parts sister to top-class miler, Polish Precedent, needed all of Michael Kinane's urgings to forge to the front, but extended her advantage close home in good style to score by three lengths from Hint of Romance. The winner may run in the Derrinstown 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown next Saturday, according to Weld.
Megascene, raised 9lb by the handicapper since scoring at the Curragh last month, continued her rich vein of form when completing a hat-trick of wins this season under Kevin Manning in the opening Douglas Fir Handicap.
"She is improving all the time and I think she'll get a bit of trip. I wouldn't be afraid to run her over a mile and two," said trainer Jim Bolger, who was recording his 15th win of the current campaign.
Woodville Star, who was a most unlucky loser at Fairyhouse over Easter when falling at the final flight with the race at her mercy. gained compensation at the expense of Drumkeen in the Avonmore Handicap Hurdle.
Drumkeen and Brendan Sheridan edged to the front on the run to the last and looked to have the contest in the bag when coming to grief, leaving Garret Cotter to steer the Liam Burke-trained mare to a four length success.
Willie Mullins failed in his quest to draw level with Frances Crowley in the Amateur Championship Race when he could only finish ninth on the well-supported favourite, Native Darrig, in the bumper.
Victory went to the Pat O'Leary-trained Nasmi, who edged clear inside the final furlong under young Ruby Walsh to score by two lengths.
Garret Cotter went on to record a double with a facile success on the Donnie Hasset-trained Rossmanagher.
The beautifully bred Catalyst at 200,000 guineas, the most expensive yearling owner Harry Dobson has bought, made a winning debut for Jim Bolger in the Marble City Fillies Maiden at Gowran Park on Saturday.
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