Khatela pays

A 100,000 Guineas gamble on Khatela paid its first dividend when the Noel Meade trained filly scored at Navan yesterday. That was the total that Galway owner Sean Mulryan paid out for Khatela at last December's sale at Newmarket after the filly had won the second of her two starts for the Aga Khan and John Oxx last season.

Khatela unseated her rider on her first start for her new connections at Cork and although the main aim is to breed from the daughter of Shernazar, she looks more than capable of picking up more races. judged by the way she quickened past Sukeena in the EBF Handicap to win under topweight.

"She was bought as a potential broodmare for Sean but we hope she can win a few more. 100,000 sounds a lot seeing as she's only rated 75 but she has a good Aga Khan pedigree," said Meade.

Co. Dublin trainer Steve Mahon took over the two year old Galloway Boy from Dermot Weld some weeks ago and produced him to make an ultra-impressive winning debut in the Balreask Maiden. Kevin Manning shot Galloway Boy clear at half way to win by six lengths and a trip to Royal Ascot is not being ruled out.

Jockey Wayne Smith will want to forget the first two races. He picked up a three day ban for careless riding on Ponda Rosa in the sprint and 30 minutes later got another day for the same offence on the third horse in Galloway Boy's race, Headfort Rose.

Sally Pledge was always going best to score her second course success in the opener and Ruby Walsh scored his 91st victory of the term on The Dell in the maiden hurdle. Ballyrihy Boy just got home by a head in a thrilling finish to the handicap hurdle, after which Blushing Sand's rider Barry Cash got a three day whip ban for excessive use.

Richard Hills is set to ride Mus-If in Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas. Dermot Weld's stable jockey Pat Smullen will ride the Tetrarch winner Major Force, who is expected to be supplemented at a cost of £25,000 tomorrow, leaving the ride on Mus-If free. Noel Meade issued an upbeat bulletin about his 1,000 Guineas hope Show Me The Money yesterday.

"She is in flying form and the softer the ground, the better for her. Richard Hughes will ride," Meade said before reporting that his Epsom Derby fourth Sunshine Street is back cantering.

"I hope to run him in the Coronation Cup but if that comes too soon, he will have a prep' and then go for the Hardwicke at Ascot," he added.