Deputy Sandy (Footstepsinthesand) Wins On Debut At Naas

Smart Maiden Winners Double Up For Footstepsinthesand

Deputy Sandy (2c Footstepsinthesand - Bayan Kasirga, by Aussie Rules) emerged as another smart prospect for Jessica Harrington and Zhang Yuesheng when making a winning debut at Naas on Thursday.

Ten lined up for the seven furlong maiden, with the eventual winner racing prominently throughout and produced a challenge approaching the final furlong. Digging deep, he edged out the favourite Southern Lights by a head on the line, as the front pair finished a length and three quarters in front of the well-bred Khartoum in third.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “He was good. He likes that quick ground and he got the seven well. We'll see where we go with him. Mr Zhang has got him and he's got Ace Aussie and Lucky Vega. They are nice colts and it's nice to have them.”

Deputy Sandy was bred by Robert Norton out of prolific racemare Bayan Kasirga, who is herself out of a half-sister to multiple Stakes winner and Group 1 Coronation Stakes third Barefoot Lady (Footstepsinthesand). A full-brother to Deputy Sandy sells at the upcoming Tattersalls Ireland September yearling Sale.

The John Grogan-trained Sziget (2f Footstepsinthesand - Elusive Bonus, by Elusive City) completed a double on the card for Footstepsinthesand when running out a smart winner of the seven furlong maiden.

Chasing the leaders under Wayne Lordan, she was ridden to make headway from two furlongs out and led inside the final furlong. Staying on strongly, she won by three lengths and three quarters, in comfortable fashion.

The winning trainer later commented, “She did it well and we're very happy.” On future plans, he added, “I'm not sure whether we'll go for a nursery or maybe a little bit of black-type. I'd say she'll stay a trip next year, she might get the mile. We'll wait and see.”

Successful in the colours of Mrs Teresa Bergin, Sziget becomes the first winner bred by David and Keith Bergin out of Elusive Bonus. Herself a winner, she is also a half-sister to black-type sprinter Abbakova and hails from the family of top sprinter Prohibit.