Aidan O’Brien’s Matrika looks to be Royal Ascot-bound following an ultra-professional display on debut at the Curragh.
Sent off at 6-1 for the opening Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden, the daughter of No Nay Never was always travelling powerfully in the hands of Ryan Moore and ran out a taking three-quarters of a length winner, with Grand Job (second) and Mysteries (third) keeping on to fill the podium spots.
The winner will now get the chance to replicate her half-brother The Wow Signal, who was a scorer at the Royal meeting, as she was handed a quote of 6-1 for the Albany Stakes by Betfair and Paddy Power.
🚨Smart filly klaxon! 🚨
Matrika (No Nay Never) travelled like a dream and stayed arrow-straight on debut in the @HoStud @IrishEBF_ Fillies Maiden @curraghrace 👀@Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/G1bKYrsl1A
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 28, 2023
“She’s so lazy at home that she’s been wearing blinkers the last few weeks in work,” said O’Brien.
“We had them (declared) on, but then took them off at the last minute as we said we couldn’t run her first time in them. Wayne (Lordan) rides her every day and said to leave them off her for her first run.
“She’s so lazy at home, that’s why she hasn’t run until now. She’s a well-bred filly and is a sister to The Wow Signal.”
He added: “We’ll have a look at something like the Albany with her. We’ll leave them (blinkers) off her for the moment, but she is better with them on!”
It proved a fine afternoon for O’Brien and Moore, who having tasted Group-race glory with Luxembourg and Drumroll, brought up a four-timer when High Chieftess landed the Barberstown Castle Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
Having been well held in her first two starts, the daughter of Galileo out of Group One-winning two-year-old Tiggy Wiggy, thrived for the move up to 10 furlongs to break her duck and could now be destined for bigger and better things.
“She has just taken a bit of time and you can see why. Her dam was small, but every month she’s grown and grown,” said O’Brien.
“She’s a big filly now but still a bit babyish and that is why the blinkers are on her. Who knows what she will progress into.”
