THE Cormac Doyle-handled Diese Des Bieffes (9/4 - 6/4) further enhanced his burgeoning reputation when dominating the feature open lightweight at last Sunday’s Galway Blazers meeting at Loughrea.
Setting an exacting gallop from flag fall under Jack Hendrick, the recent Monksgrange scorer only had pointing debutant Fils D’Oudairies for company for much of the early stages of the five-runner contest. With that Enda Bolger-handled gelding crying enough shortly after the fourth from home, the sweet-jumping grey was left in splendid isolation thereafter, ultimately coming home a cosy 10 lengths ahead of La Feline.
“He’s come on leaps and bounds for his first run a fortnight ago. He seems to be really enjoying his racing. He travelled and jumped super and he looks to have the makings of a very good open horse,” outlined Hendrick.
Champion handler Colin Bowe collected the four-year-old maiden at this fixture for the fourth time in five years as newcomer Kansas City Star (6/4f) fared best in a dramatic conclusion. Positively ridden by Barry O’Neill, the towering Kansas City Star bravely fought his way back into contention after two out as John O’Neill set sail for home on fellow first-timer Lindaka.
Responding well to the champion rider’s urgings, the half-brother to Mouse Morris’ Beyond The Law, was almost on terms with Lindaka when that rival came to grief at the final fence, leaving the Milestone Bloodstock-owned bay to coast home 15 lengths clear of The Old Oak Tree.
“Barry was very happy with him. He felt he’d be even better still on a more galloping track and he’ll have learned plenty,” commented Bowe.
Dungarvan, Co Waterford veterinary surgeon Walter Connors looks to have another useful sort on his hands in the form of the Pat Doyle-trained Amirite (5/2 - 7/2) who landed the 10-runner five-year-old geldings’ maiden in taking fashion.
Given the office by Pa King on touching down two out, the son of Sholokhov, quickly put daylight between himself and his closest pursuer, last month’s Monksgrange-fourth Calvic, and eventually ran out a snug four-length victor over Ellmarie Holden’s inmate.
“I think he could be a very good horse. He needed time in the spring as he was sick. He only had his first spin on grass Friday morning and will improve from that,” remarked Doyle of the close relation to 2013 National Hunt Chase scorer Back In Focus.
FERMOY Co Cork-trainer Ciaran Fennessy saddled his first winner of the campaign as William Tanner’s homebred Fiery Brown (2/1 - 3/1) obliged at the first time of asking in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.
Shared by her breeder with Christy O’Connell, the winning daughter of Robin Des Champs was produced with a well-timed challenge by Shane Baragry to collar the front-running Clear Ability on the short run-in and account for Michael Murphy’s charge by a length in what proved to be the closest finish of the afternoon.
“She’s a lovely mare. We were concerned about the ground today coming up but she got away with it. The lads who own her have been very patient and it’s great for them,” reflected Fennessy.
“Shane gave her as good a ride as you’ll see here today. He is with me a couple of mornings a week.”
Formerly rated 135 on the track, the Declan Queally-trained Lord Schnitzel (1/1 - 7/4 favourite) gained an overdue first career success in the six-year-old an upwards geldings’ maiden for novice riders.
Providing Co Waterford amateur John Kirwan with his first victory between the flags, the Klaus Koentopp-owned nine-year-old drew clear of nearest challenger Time To Bite on the turn into the straight. He only needed to be kept up to his work late on to account for Is A Real Champ, albeit the second past the post was later disqualified following an issue with the weighing-in process.
A delighted Kirwan commented: “I split my time between Declan’s and John Kiely’s and they are two great yards to work in. It’s nice to get off the mark early in the season and hopefully I can kick on again now.”
ODDS-ON favourite backers had little cause for concern throughout the closing winner-of-one contest as the Derek O’Connor-partnered Coastguard Station (1/2 favourite), a winner on the opening weekend of the season in Monksgrange, easily doubled his seasonal tally for the absent Sam Curling.
Sporting the silks of his breeder/owner Michael O’Sullivan, the front-running son of Dylan Thomas readily asserted towards the business end and had little difficulty in posting a 10-length triumph over the Rochelle Murphy-ridden Ihavent A Clue. It’s possible that a maiden hunters’ chase will be the next port of call for Coastguard Station.
Horse to follow
School Days Over (M.R. Murphy) This debutant son of Ocovango was noted when staying on to considerable effect in the latter stages of the four-year-old maiden. Although erring at the final fence, the June-born youngster still shaped with a great degree of promise and strikes as a likely track winner going forward.
Leahy is remembered
LAST Sunday’s meeting came just a few weeks after the passing of legendary Galway Blazers field-master Willie Leahy.
Leahy served on the Galway Blazer’s committee for more than 50 years and, as has been the case for so many years, last Sunday’s fixture took place on his lands at Dartfield Horse Park and Museum.
Glowing tribute
Starter Tom Dempsey paid a glowing tribute to Leahy after the running of the third race which was followed by a minute’s silence in his honour. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.