The Haresh Mehta owned Fourpenny Lane won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fairy Bridge Stakes (Listed) at Tipperary on Thursday. The Joanna Morgan trained Fourpenny Lane confirmed her recent improvement in running out a fine winner from Blaze Brightly. Gile Na Geine proved a disappointment yet again as the filly who had placed third in the Irish 1000 Guineas ran tamely.

For the winner it was a final hurrah in Ireland, as she has been purchased by top Indian owner Haresh Mehta and is headed for India where she will be sent to the Sohna Stud Farm to stand as a broodmare. Fourpenny Lane is in foal to Verglas. Versaki who is by Verglas was a multiple graded race winner last year in India.

Gile Na Greine, meanwhile, has been difficult to place since finishing third behind Special Duty at Newmarket in May. The Jim Bolger-trained filly was third-last in the Irish Guineas, bounced back brilliantly when second in the Coronation Cup at Royal Ascot, and then finished an off-the-pace sixth in the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes.

Despite her inconsistency a Listed contest should have proved well within her abilities, but she was available at 6-4 and that slight hesitancy in the market proved well founded as she broke poorly and quickly began labouring towards the rear of the 11-runner race.

Further forward, Miss Gorica - also trained by Morgan - had started well in company with Anam Chara, and the two set a decent early pace which several, including the favourite, appeared to struggle with.

Gile Na Greine's already remote chances were dismissed entirely at the two pole, where she encountered trouble and was pulled up for a few strides, dropping away quickly.

The fancied John Oxx-trained runner Smart Striking made some ground in the closing stages, but it was 5-1 chance Fourpenny Lane that came strongest and, taking it up a furlong from home, crossed the line under substitute jockey Rory Cleary with a comfortable lead.

Morgan said: "They [Fourpenny Lane and Miss Gorica] were covered within a day of each other and while Fourpenny Lane, who is in foal to Verglas, is finished we’ll probably run Miss Gorcia at the Curragh on Sunday.

"Haresh Mehta, who is a leading owner in India, bought her for €100,000 at Goffs last year and she’s probably the best filly in foal that has been sent to India. I'm delighted for him and her."

Bloodstock agents Hugo Merry and Gautham Kothwal were instrumental in Haresh Mehta buying the filly.

Courtesy: www.racingpost.com