Esculenta

Esculenta battled on gamely to get off the mark in the one-mile fillies’ handicap at Gowran Park last Wednesday. Sharply away, she showed nice early pace to bag the lead and the rail, and she quickly settled into a good racing rhythm for Dylan Browne McMonagle. Still on the bridle was they turned for home, she was challenged by Miramis on the run to the two-furlong marker, but she saw off that rival inside the final furlong, and she still had enough in reserve to just withstand the late lunge of Fools Glory.

It was a good performance by Ray Cody’s mare in the circumstances, because she didn’t have it all to herself. She had to use her early pace to get out and get across to the rail in front from stall five, and she was challenged early enough in the home straight by Miramis. She showed a really willing attitude. This was her first win, but she ran some fine races in defeat when she was with Johnny Murtagh and, with this win under her belt now, she could kick on from this. She has run over all distances from six and a half to nine furlongs, but this one-mile trip is obviously a good trip for her, and she could do even better back at seven furlongs on this evidence. She is not obviously unexposed, but this was probably a career-best performance, and she could kick on from this. A 5lb hike was fine. She will be of interest if she runs next over a mile, but she will be of even greater interest back over seven furlongs.
Gowran Park, 10^th May 2023