Karamaya

Karamaya is worth noting after an encouraging reappearance in the good seven-furlong handicap at The Curragh on Saturday won by Eastern Rules, who was following up his win at the track on Irish Derby weekend.

Settled well back on the rail, the John Oxx-trained filly came under pressure three furlongs out, but she was starting to improve up the inside when she was stopped on Eastern Rules’ heels two furlongs out. Declan McDonogh had to sit up for a few strides at that point. Karamaya picked up again once Eastern Rules had vacated the gap on the rail, but the battle-hardened Six Of Hearts then forced her in behind the weakening Rain God and once more her rider just had to ease off for a few strides before taking the gap up the rail. After that, once in the clear, Karamaya stayed on nicely on the far side all the way to the line.

This was a tough race for a three-year-old filly on her seasonal debut, but the daughter of Invincible Spirit acquitted herself really well and did best of the six three-year-olds in the race (all the others were race-fit). She should be better stepped up to a mile on this evidence, and possibly even stepped up further in trip in time. Her half-sister Karatash won on her debut last season over a mile and a quarter on easy ground, and her dam won over a mile and a mile and a quarter, and was placed over a mile and a half. Karamaya has the scope to improve over longer trips, and there was plenty of encouragement here.

It is significant that she ran in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last season on just her second run, which isn’t really John Oxx’s style, especially as it was just two weeks after her debut. That gives an indication of the regard in which she is held at home. This was her first run on quick ground and she can progress from this now.

20th July 2013