Meriden notched the latest victory of a remarkable campaign with a dominant display in the Edmund and Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes.
Denis Hogan’s filly was rated just 57 after a fairly inauspicious start to her career, but she then went on to win five races in succession, with four handicap verdicts in the space of a month followed by a valuable Listed triumph at Killarney in July.
She was beaten on her next three starts, most recently finishing seventh behind superstar filly Blue Bolt in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, but returning to Listed company for the Harvest Festival’s day three feature she proved much the best.
Sent straight to the lead by Chris Hayes, the 9-4 joint-favourite kicked from the home turn and never really looked in danger of being reeled in, easing down close home to win by a length and three-quarters on what was her 13th start of the season.
Hogan said: “She has been busy with racing but it was a big drop in grade. She was entitled to do that although we didn’t know if we had pushed the boat out too far today by running her too much.
“It was me who wanted to run as she has been so well at home, and to be fair to Patrick (O’Brien) and Paul (Shanahan, owners), they went along with it.
“Chris (Hayes) had a plan to be forward and to use the railing as it is a front-runners track and she also has a tendency to lean left-handed. Once she bagged the rail, she was good and straight.
“Initially, we thought she would just win at a lower level but she has kept stepping up all season.
“This morning I entered her for a Group Three at Saint-Cloud in October so she has that entry and an entry in a mares’ sale at the end of December. We don’t want to lose her, but if she makes money for her connections that’s good business.”
Course specialist Dragon Of Malta made it two wins as many days at his favourite track in the WTW Willis Towers Watson Handicap.
Pat O’Donnell’s charge first won this particular race in 2023 and notched the second of two wins at last year’s Harvest Festival in the seven-furlong contest 12 months ago.
Bidding to repeat that feat following a narrow victory on Monday, the 100-30 favourite this time got the job done by a length and a quarter under 7lb claimer Julian Pietropaolo.
An emotional O’Donnell said: “That is five wins at this festival which is an incredible record. To see the myriad of people here today is lovely and win, lose or draw, we’ll be back here again next year. Down south, this meeting is our Cheltenham.
“I joked with my daughter Sylvia that if he won again today, that Listowel would have to name a race after him, but she replied ‘no, it’ll have to be a bar!’
“The horse will have an easy week now and it is just a lovely story.”
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