THE Doneraile Handicap, with total prize money of €50,000, was the feature at Cork and the five-furlong contest was run at a scorching pace. Front-runners Genesis and Eclairage were reeled in approaching the final furlong as dual juvenile listed winner Ipanema Queen (15/2) came through to lead.
Trained by Robson de Aguiar for Stonestreet Stables, LLC and Amo Racing Limited, the Sands Of Mali three-year-old edged right in the closing stages and just held on by a short-head as Erosandpsyche finished best of all.
“Today was the first time she has got her trip, on a track and ground which all suit her,” said winning rider Donagh O’Connor, who picked up a four-day whip ban (frequency).
“She has been highly tried this year and was at her best today.”
Value increases
Kendall Roy finished third off top-weight in the feature, while his stablemate Grayrobin (9/1) made it two from two for Katie McGivern in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race over five furlongs.
Successful in a Bellewstown maiden earlier in the month, the Havana Grey juvenile made all under Chris Hayes and kept on well to beat Lars Soldier by a length and a quarter.
McGivern reported: “He got sick, so couldn’t sell as a breezer, but I always rated him highly. He has the Havana Grey attitude - sticks at it and is tough. He still has more developing to do; he will widen and mentally he is excellent.
“I had priced him to sell but only got one call after he won in Bellewstown, so he is still for sale, although it will take a bit to buy him now.”
Close call
The preceding Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden over the minimum trip saw 8/11 favourite Hanney Boy scrape home by a short-head under Liam Keniry.
Third in a listed contest at Naas on his previous start, the Alison Jones-owned juvenile was shaken up to lead over a furlong out, but soon drifted left and his followers got a fright in the final strides as Blooming Sally powered home and was up a stride after the line.
“He has lots of pace and had the experience,” said winning trainer Evanna McCutcheon. “Our lad has run to his mark (95) and the second horse will probably go on to good things as well.”
Keniry added: “I’ve been back in Ireland for a year and a half now and ride out in Ballydoyle. I had a good time riding in England but always had it in my mind to return home at some point and with my daughter being two, we decided it was a good time to come back for schools, and that.”
RONAN Whelan kicked off a quickfire double when making all to win the Navigation Road Maiden aboard the John Feane-trained Finika (15/2).
Third over the minimum distance in a course maiden in June, the Ballyhimikin Stud homebred passed the post with a length to spare over Stooked.
“She is getting more professional and hit the line well,” said Feane. “Progeny of Mehmas are good horses and are versatile ground-wise. Everyone is hoping for blacktype with these fillies.”
Lucky owners
Whelan partnered 100/30 favourite El Fontenaro to success in the proceeding Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap, six-furlong contest for horses rated 0-60. Trained by Jarlath Fahey and carrying the colours of Park Hill Racing, the four-year-old daughter of The Irish Rover was prominent throughout and got home by a neck from Rosato.
“She has always threatened to win a race and has finally got it. She’s been in a positive frame of mind this year,” said Fahey.
“The lads (Park Hill Racing) have been lucky owners and anything they get involved in seems to do a job.”
DYLAN Browne McMonagle landed the last two races, beginning with the median auction race over a mile, which obviously had all the appearance of a non-event as Killarney maiden winner Alphonsus Liguori was sent off 1/20 to take care of four lesser opponents.
As it transpired, the Study Of Man colt was by no means impressive but got the job done by three lengths from Holy Lettuce, having taken up the running over two furlongs out.
“He is the shortest-price horse I’ve ridden and he was straightforward,” Browne McMonagle said of the Joseph O’Brien-trained three-year-old, who is owned by Rectory Road Holdings Limited.
“When he gets into a better race, you’ll see a much better horse. He is also still very unfurnished and I think there is a lot more to come.”
Winning recruit
The champion jockey completed a double on Amethyst Stone (22/1) who clicked on his first start for Paul Flynn and the Golf Lads Syndicate when taking the three-year-old handicap over a mile and a half.
The Almanzor gelding, a cast-off from Ger Lyons’ yard after five unplaced runs, was wearing cheekpieces for the first time and, having reeled in Canon Law after that one had slipped the field early in the straight, just held the late thrust of Millhone by half a length.
“Paul rang me earlier and told me he’d win, or go very close,” said Browne McMonagle.
“He said he was working well and thought the trip and ground would suit. Paul does well with these horses. He freshens them up, does a good job and his horses are flying.”