Cork Racecard and Tips: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap 2026

Flash of Fire enters the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap at Cork on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as a leading contender following a promising stable debut at Punchestown. Trained by J.P. Murtagh, the three-year-old Wootton Bassett filly drops back two furlongs in trip and wears first-time cheekpieces for the €16,000 contest over six furlongs on soft ground.

According to racecard data, Flash of Fire won on debut at Doncaster for former trainer James Ferguson before switching yards. On September 15, 2026, she finished a good fourth of 14 runners in a one-mile handicap at Punchestown on good ground. Dan McEvoy of irishracing.com reports that the filly is well-backed and prefers slower ground conditions, making the drop in distance and softer underfoot going at Cork suitable tests for her capabilities.

Top Contenders and Key Rivals at Cork

By The Lake figures prominently in the field under jockey Colin Keane. Trained by Derek McCormack, the three-year-old showed strong form when going close on her stable debut at Navan on August 27, 2026, finishing a half-length second behind Amiata in an extended five-furlong handicap. However, irishracing.com notes that softer underfoot conditions remain an unknown factor for her.

Staysound Susie brings proven course-and-distance winning form to the race. Trained by A. Slattery, the five-year-old mare won this exact Cork handicap in 2024 and scored at the Curragh in April 2026 on soft-to-heavy ground. Slattery notes that the mare is heading to be put in foal this year and relishes testing ground, stating in quotes published by irishracing.com that she loved that trip and had finished third over five furlongs at Cork recently, which proved too short.

That journey suited Staysound Susie well, having recently placed third over five furlongs at the track, a distance that proves insufficient. She was entered into a Listed race at Cork tomorrow, but I informed the team that she might only manage fifth or sixth place in that event, whereas she holds a strong prospect of capturing a €30,000 prize here.

A. Slattery

Field Breakdown and Weight Allocations

The race features eight runners following the withdrawal of By The Lake’s stablemate By The Lake, who was declared as a non-runner under trainer Derek McCormack. Motta Alta, trained by Mrs. J. Harrington, drops back two furlongs after placing third in handicaps over seven furlongs and one mile. Baiana represents the stable of J.P. O’Brien, returning from a break after winning a Sligo maiden in May 2026 before finishing fifth on her handicap debut at Fairyhouse.

Forza Magico steps up to handicap company for trainer J. Feane following a maiden win over five furlongs at Down Royal on September 4, 2026. My Cubby Bear returns from a lengthy break for trainer H. De Bromhead after finishing second in a Dundalk maiden last year. Saint Agatha represents trainer J. Stack, while Rosato rounds out the field for trainer C. Weld, seeking a return to the form that saw her finish second in a 27-runner handicap at the Curragh in August 2026.