Dream On Baby

Dream On Baby stayed on well to finish second behind Aurora Vega in the Grade 3 Solerina Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Settled just behind the leaders and along the inside early on by Donagh Meyler, she just got in a little tight to the third last flight, the last one before the home turn, which wasn't ideal. Squeezed along as they rounded the home turn, she picked up at the second last flight on the far side in a share of second place behind Aurora Vega. Switched towards the near side on the run to the final flight, the winner just got away from her a little on landing over the last, but she stayed on well up the run-in to close to within less than two lengths, with the pair of them coming six and a half lengths clear of their rivals.

This was a career-best performance by Emmet Mullins' mare. Winner of her maiden hurdle on her first run for her current trainer and on her hurdling bow at Thurles in November over two miles and seven furlongs, she dropped to two miles next time back at Thurles, and ran well to finish third behind Cottesloe Sunshine, while leaving the impression that she would appreciate a step back up in trip. The two-and-a-quarter-mile trip on Saturday, in a race run at a sedate pace - the winner's finishing speed percentage was 108% - probably wasn't as stern a stamina test as she would ideally like. That said, she stuck to her task admirably, she was fastest of all through the final four furlongs of the race.

Out of a mare who won over three miles, a three-parts sister to Ultima Chase winner Wichita Lineman and a half-sister to Champion Stayers' Hurdle winner Rhinestone Cowboy, Dream On Baby should progress from this again, and she should appreciate a step back up in trip.

Fairyhouse, 25^th January 2025