WILLIE Mullins and Paul Townend struck with their only runner on the card, as Cameletta Vega made a winning start over jumps, in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Cork on Saturday.
Sent off 3/1, in the familiar colours of the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, the six-year-old made most for a five-and-a-half-length win.
Townend reported: “Everyone knows the family and, while Cameletta Vega has some of their quirks, seems to have their ability as well.
“They are a good family, come in all shapes and sizes and we’d be worried if we had one of the family without quirks.
“She was having a little look in front although was looking for the next jump and wanted to take them on, and she enjoyed it.
“She had been disappointing in bumpers, but I think hurdling brings the best out in her.”
Too easy for Etoile
Rachael Blackmore made all on Ma Belle Etoile to win the Buy Tickets Online At www.corkracecourse.ie Rated Novice Hurdle. Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the 4/1 chance went clear from two out to score easily by 12 lengths.
Blackmore said: “She jumped really well and it was great to get that done with her. She can be a little keen, but she settled out in front today and her jumping was very good.
“Having her in front today made the difference and she was making ground at hurdles. She was very enjoyable to ride and was able to get things her own way out in front.”
THE Dooner Citizen was a popular winner of Division ll of the Tesla Handicap Hurdle. Owned locally by William M O’Sullivan, the 15/2 chance led two out under son Alan, keeping on strongly to score by three-quarters of a length.
Trainer Eugene O’Sullivan said: “We were lucky to get in today (third reserve) and, with closing time being 11am, he got in only with 13 minutes to spare. We wanted to come as he finished third here last month, but were lucky.
“He is from our old family and we still have some of the pedigree. It took him a long time to get to today, but he had been very consistent and might win again hopefully. I’m delighted for Alan, it was a pity his father William wasn’t here, but he was too busy at home.”
Step up suits
Just over 35 minutes earlier, Gavin Cromwell trained Next Stop Paris to win Division l of the Tesla Handicap Hurdle. In front after a circuit, the 5/2 favourite made the rest to score by half a length under Keith Donoghue.
The latter commented of the Gavin Cromwell Racing Limited-owned victor: “He was tough and the step up in trip helped. He was a little keen and we didn’t go much of a gallop, so I left him on. He was idling a little bit but kept on well.
“He disappointed on the heavy ground previously at Clonmel and, while he had a good run at Bellewstown the last day, the sharp track and racing over two miles and a furlong caught him out. We thought he’d take beating going up in trip today.”
Galway bound
Shark Hanlon sent out Los Toldos (12/1) to win the opening Paddy Mac Maiden Hurdle. Jockey Sean Flanagan asserted from the final flight to beat Killeaney Bear by a length and three-quarters.
Hanlon said: “I was nearly not running this horse, as that’s as quick as he wants the ground. I bought him in England and a big thanks to the three lads from Galway who bought him (Tribroc Racing Syndicate).
“When I got into trouble (with a suspension), they thought I had been harshly treated, so asked me to buy them a horse. I’m sure this horse will have to go to Galway now.”
NYTOL justified 6/4 favouritism to win the Racing Again May 20th Maiden Hurdle for Terence O’Brien and John Shinnick. Leading three out, the Sean Fitzgibbon-owned mare stayed on strongly to score by two and a quarter lengths.
Afterwards, O’Brien said: “Sean sent her to us last autumn and she has initially small bits and pieces of problems but has been pretty straightforward since. She has been running well, has been knocking on the door and deserved that.
“We probably rode her too aggressively recently and, while there was one horse rated higher today, John’s 5lb claim and the mares’ 7lb allowance helped. We’ll tip away for the summer and she is a big scopey mare, so has options of going over fences.”
Tyner’s time
On an afternoon when local trainers enjoyed success, Robert Tyner got in on the act as Wyoming Baby won the Dine In Our Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Phillip Enright, the 7/2 chance went on two out, keeping on in determined fashion to beat Stellar Symphony a neck. Tyner said of the One In The Barrell Syndicate-owned mare: “She was unlucky in Tramore the last day, as she grabbed at the second-last fence and landed on top of it.
“Even if she had jumped the last better, she might have been closer as well, but I don’t know how they stayed in contact at the second-last. There was no chase coming up, so I said we’d chance coming here.
“She is a Doyen and, while they have a preference for better ground, we took a chance by running her. She might go back over fences now.”
Speedy finish
Harry Swan produced the Gordon Elliott-trained Woodland Adventure from off the pace to win the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4-y-o Fillies’ INH Flat Race. Sent off 4/1, the John Kalmanson-owned filly quickened up well to beat Samba Train by a length and three-quarters.
Lisa O’Neill said: “She is a lovely filly and has a good flat pedigree. She was very professional today in everything she did and Harry gave her a lovely ride.
“She had been doing things nicely and hopefully will have a good career. It is great for the owner, who is South African, and runs a big breeding operation, so it is lovely to get the win on the board.”