Impressive debut 2yo winner for King of Change

King of Change filly Maggie Walker made the perfect start to her career when winning at Cork on Tuesday by 2 lengths and looks a filly to follow. 

Maggie Walker became the first 2yo winner to represent King of Change since he relocated from Ireland to Tweenhills in Gloucestershire. 

She lined up in the second colours of owner MRC International behind stablemate Desert Alchemist though there wasn’t much between them in the market. Both horses tracked favourite Hanney Boy, who had finished 2^nd at the track on debut, but Maggie Walker powered past him in the closing stages to win by 2 lengths. 

The race, an auction series maiden, was over 6f but the way Maggie Walker hit the line suggests she’ll be conforming to her pedigree and staying 7f+ when the time comes. 

Trainer David Marnane told Racing TV: “She’s a lovely filly. She was only €6,500. She’d shown plenty at home now, in the few bits we’ve done with her – we haven’t done a lot with her.

“I always thought she was a 7f/1m filly, but we had to start her somewhere. I thought she’d need the run today and there was a lovely race for her in Leopardstown in 3 weeks’ time. She’s done her job today so it’s great. 

“She’s talented but, to be honest with you, I thought it’d be later on that we’d see her [at her best] – and I thought she’d be better on better ground but, look, I’m only a trainer!”

Winning jockey Andrew Slattery added: “David was very sweet about her, she’s a lovely big physical. She’s nice. He [King of Change] is a stallion we don’t really know a lot about, but he seems to be making a good stamp of it. I’m going to be looking forward to seeing her on nicer ground.”

Slattery also rode King of Change 4yo Lauderdale King to finish a promising 3^rd on handicap debut later on the card. 

Maggie Walker was bred by Reilll Duave Bloodstock and is out of thrice-raced maiden Kenica (by Camelot), a full sister to Australian Gr.2 winner Saracen Knight, and was extremely well bought by connections.