COLIN Keane rode a treble on the day, including both listed races on the card. Navassa Island initiated the three-timer when winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cork Stakes.

Making her first start since last November, the John Fleming-owned five-year-old travelled strongly in mid-division, before coming to throw down a challenge with over a furlong to race. Leading over 100 yards out, the 10/1 chance asserted close home for a three-and-a-quarter-length success.

Trainer Michael O’Callaghan said: “She really deserved to win a stakes race and had finished second in a Group 3 on her first-ever run as a two-year-old. She went to Ascot then and got jarred up.

“It is great for her owners, who have persevered and given us another go again this year. We had her ready today, knowing she would have her ideal conditions. She will have a spring and autumn campaign and will get a break when the ground starts to tighten up.”

Moody strikes on Irish soil

Keane doubled up aboard the Paddy Twomey-trained Moody in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Noblesse Stakes. Making her stable debut, the former French maiden winner was sent off 6/1 in the colours of Mel Sutcliffe.

Held up in mid-division as Snapretend led, Keane came through to challenge two furlongs from home. Keeping on strongly inside the final furlong, Moody led over 50 yards out, landing a comfortable half-length victory.

Twomey said: “She is a nice filly, it is great for connections and this is the first horse I’ve had for him. She had two runs in France, looked to have a positive profile and the operation she came from sell them when they are three-year-olds and it has been a lucky source for us.

“Today was the plan and we like these races at Cork, so I’d like to win as many of the Munster Oaks and Give Thanks Stakes as I can.”

Wallet full of success

Empty Wallet landed the concluding SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap for Keane’s hat-trick. Sent off 9/2 in the familiar Sean Jones colours, the Ger Lyons-trained gelding was held up in rear for much of the mile contest.

Making headway early in the straight, Empty Wallet stayed on well inside the final furlong, leading close home to beat Invincible Will by three-quarters of a length.

Shane Lyons reported: “I’m delighted for Sean (Jones) and his kids. His two boys, James and Eddie, are now students and they’re taking a big interest in the horses.

“They are form-gurus, so they’re taking a real interest and are the next generation coming through. The horse had been working well and we aren’t shocked that he won.”

PADDY Twomey had earlier struck in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden with Velozee. Slowly away from stalls, Billy Lee bided his time on the 11/4 chance, giving her every chance to warm into the race.

Switched to the stands’ side over a furlong out, the filly quickened up smartly inside the last 50 yards to head Celestial Crown close home for a short-head win. Twomey said: “She is a nice filly who was ready to start today. She has won her maiden on debut and the First Flier (Curragh, early May) is an obvious race in a month’s time.

“Gary Matthews, a solicitor from Newry, is a new owner to the yard and is from the coursing world and his dad Brendan is champion trainer in Clonmel every year.”

Lee doubles up

Billy Lee doubled up in the Down Syndrome Centre Cork Rated Race aboard the Ken Condon-trained Oh Cecelia. Unlucky in running when fifth at the Curragh the previous afternoon, the filly gained quick compensation.

From a low draw, Lee elected to stay out in the middle of the track, as his seven rivals all veered towards the stands’ rail. Well in command from over a furlong out, the 10/3 favourite kept on well inside the final furlong to win by three and a quarter lengths.

Condon said: “She is going in the right direction and, after running yesterday, it was lovely that she pulled out well and did that today. Fortune favours the brave and I told David (Kelly) that she was an inspired purchase by him, so it is all down to him.

“Billy said she liked racing in isolation and today is another step forward. I’d imagine she’ll get a hike for winning and I think we’ll have a go at the Polonia Stakes in early May.”

ROYAL Ascot-fourth Cardiff By The Sea got off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, scoring for trainer Fozzy Stack and jockey Seamie Heffernan.

Sent off 13/8 favourite in the colours of P.J. O’Brien, Linda Shanahan and Michael O’Flynn, the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica made all and held on to score by a diminishing length.

Stack stated: “She hurt her knee in Naas last July, so that’s why she was out until now. She was a real two-year-old but has won now, so we’ll see how she gets on.

“I don’t think she really wants that soft ground, but probably needs some ease as she has been compromised (with her prior injury). She ran a good race in the Queen Mary last year, but won’t get any further than five furlongs. We’ll see how she is now and look for blacktype.”

Wild winner

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Wild Bessie won the Mallow Garden Festival 22nd, 23rd & 24th May Fillies Maiden. Ridden by Ronan Whelan, the once-raced filly raced up with the pace throughout and, while strongly pressed by Signora a furlong out, ran on well to score by three-parts of a length.

Wild Bessie carries the colours of de Bromhead’s Champion Chase winner Special Tiara and he reported: “I’m delighted for Sally (Rowley-Williams), as she is a home-bred and her half-brother Bodhi Bear won recently at the Curragh, and is also a really nice horse.

“Ronan was really happy with her and gave her a super ride. She should improve physically and mentally and was still green.”