Firey Red justifies Naas favouritism

Dermot Weld's Firey Red justified favouritism with a workmanlike display in the Weatherby's Ireland GSB Ltd Supporting IIBA Race at Naas.

In a change from the tactics used during his well-publicised defeat at Gowran recently, Drumbeat was sent to the front and kept on for pressure once Seachantach and the winner loomed up.

Pat Smullen had to get busy on the 5-4 market leader and she got on top to account for Drumbeat by a length and three-quarters.

Firey Red won last year's Irish National Stud Supporting ITBA Maiden and the 2009 renewal went the way of the John Oxx-trained Bean Uasal.

The 4-1 shot hadn't been seen since an all-weather defeat at Dundalk in May, but she relished these testing conditions and stormed right away from Good To Follow under Mick Kinane, eventually coasting home by five and a half lengths.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Supporting ITBA Maiden over a mile lost some of its lustre with the withdrawal of Jim Bolger's well-regarded Reiteration, but still unveiled a smart prospect in the shape of Aidan O'Brien's Await The Dawn.

Johnny Murtagh sided with the Giant's Causeway colt and he was duly sent off the 7-4 favourite. He turned in with a narrow advantage and although his stable companion Banyan Tree tried to go with him, Await The Dawn powered clear to triumph by four lengths, with daylight back to the third.

The battle-hardened Money Trader (6-1) called upon all his experience to see off team Ballydoyle in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Supporting ITBA Maiden over five furlongs.

Jim Gorman's juvenile was having his eighth start and was one of five in with a chance entering the final furlong.

O'Brien's Reggae Dancer was sent off the second-favourite but it was his lesser-fancied stablemates African Cat and Finest Artisan who provided most resistance. However, Money Trader dug deep for Chris Hayes and scored by a head.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Gary Lavery recorded his first racetrack victory when coming home in front aboard the Oliver Brady-trained Takestan to land the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap with just his third ride.