Fastnet Rock filly Irish Sea was fitted with blinkers for her second trial after
finishing fifth on heavy ground at her first appearance on November 16.She looked far more professional this time, jumping fast to lead for James McDonald before bounding clear to win by three and a half lengths in 42.5 seconds.
Recorded as a $1million purchase from the Coolmore draft at Inglis Easter, she runs in the Coolmore navy blue and is the third foal of Group II winning juvenile Hips Don't Lie.
Running the exact same time in the other heat for fillies was Exceed and Excel filly So Serene, who was shaken up to beat her quietly ridden stablemate Overreactive (Redoute's Choice x Reactive), last seen finishing fifth in the Listed ATC Gimcrack Stakes behind Colliape.
So Serene carries the colours of Fairway Thoroughbreds, who race the filly in partnership
with her breeder Segenhoe Stud. The first foal of Irish Group III winner Radharcnafarraige (IRE), she was a $650,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Segenhoe draft for James Harron Bloodstock and is the second most expensive filly by her sire sold in 2015.
A $125,000 Magic Millions purchase for Dermot Farrington on behalf of Gilgai Farm, Choisir colt It's a Furphy showed good speed at his first outing to lead throughout and win by a length running slightly slower time than the fillies.
He's bred to go fast as is the first foal of Gold Statue, a half-sister to former brilliant sprinter Hay List.
Another Magic Millions purchase, snapped up for $200,000 from the Kitchwin Hills draft is Snitzel colt Northern Fire, who was also sent forward to lead and although running out of puff held on to win by a long neck.
From the winning Scenic (IRE) mare Pure Fire, he comes from the family of Group I winner Shame and current stakes performer Sadler's Lake.
Earlier in the morning the John Sargent trained Star Witness colt Credible Witness showed he was ready to go back to the races when leading all the way to beat an army of Godolphin runners in heat three over 1044 metres.
Fifth to Dalradian in the $250,000 Inglis Premier at Moonee Valley back in October, Credible Witness looks fit and well educated for when he reappears on raceday.
A $40,000 Inglis Premier purchase for his trainer from the Rosemont Stud draft, Credible Witness is a half-brother to stakes-winner Pressing from the Choisir mare Lamiraqui.
