THE most valuable event on Cork’s seven-race card was the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Race and it produced a thrilling finish with just a nose and a short-head separating the first three home.
Fast-starting Rosie Frith had all her rivals off the bridle entering the final quarter-mile, but was caught on the line by the Ronan Whelan-ridden L L Koulsty (13/2), with newcomer Stars Will Shine a running on third.
The winner, fifth on his first start at Leopardstown, is trained for Dr Marcella Burns by John O’Donoghue.
O’Donoghue said: “It was windy, so I went down to the start with him as he uses a stalls rug. I watched the race on a very small screen and thought he was beaten.
“We were happy to see the rain on the way down - not that he needs it, but the fact he debuted over seven furlongs suggested he’d need further than six.
“He has plenty of options, as we know he handles that soft ground. Ronan Burns sent me a horse in my first season and every year since and that’s the fourth two-year-old he sent me and the third to have won.
“He is a bloody good breeder and a good support.”
Quick fire double
Five-pound-claimer Jack Cleary registered a quick double, with his first success coming aboard the Ballydoyle-trained Charles Fort (11/8 favourite) in the Coolmore Stud Gleneagles Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden. Aidan O’Brien’s 85-rated juvenile, fourth at Gowran Park the previous week, broke well and made all the running to account for market rival Strike Zone by four lengths in the colours of the Coolmore partners.
Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: “He showed plenty of speed at Gowran and, in fairness to Wayne Lordan, the first thing he said afterwards was he’d have no trouble dropping back to six furlongs.
“He had a nice run first time out in Fairyhouse and will go back there in a few weeks for the Blenheim Stakes. At today’s trip, he should be a stakes horse in the making.”
A real Gem
Cleary followed up in the next race when the return to his favourite track sparked Gerrit’s Gem (12/1) back to life, as the Belardo gelding ran out a decisive winner of the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap.
Prominent throughout in a race dominated by those which raced towards the far side, the winner came home three and a half lengths in front of Dmaniac.
Following two victories last year, Gerrit’s Gem, owned by Gerrit O’Reilly, is now unbeaten in three runs at Cork.
Winning trainer Kieran Cotter said: “He is a nice horse, who is still a work in progress. There might be a decent day in him and I wouldn’t think he’d want the ground any softer than that.”
AFTER riding a double at Galway on Tuesday on his return from a collarbone injury, Billy Lee notched another winner when Black Caviar Gold (10/3) took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
In the front rank throughout, the daughter of Havana Gold led over two furlongs out and kept on well to beat River Ara by three lengths.
Paddy Twomey, who trains the winner for Bond Thoroughbred Limited, said: “I thought she ran well on her debut in Galway. To be fair to Billy, he told me the ground was too quick for her here the last day, but I wanted to run her to give her the education.
“Maybe something like the Weld Park Stakes might suit next.”
Jumping on the cards
Second on handicap debut here last month, Not Simple (10/1) returned to Cork and went one better in the Play Final One Standing By William Hill Handicap.
A three-year-old daughter of American-bred stallion Battalion Runner, Luke McAteer’s mount went on over a furlong out to beat Clever And Classy by a length and three quarters.
James Barrett, who trains the winner for Orpen Horses Limited, commented: “She was a little green the last day and was again today, but just kept galloping away on the soft ground.
“I think once she steps up in trip, it will bring more improvement and she could eventually go jumping.”
IN the William Hill Gold Weekend Starts 8am Friday Maiden, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Hellorhighwater landed odds of 8/15. The winner was restless in the stalls, but soon secured a nice position. Gary Carroll sent the Eoin McDonagh-owned gelding to the front two furlongs out and stayed on well to beat Naples by a length and three quarters.
Carroll stated: “He is a fine big horse and I thought racing over a mile around here on easy ground would suit him lovely. I’d say he will come into his own over a mile and two.”
Ben Coen stepped in for a winning spare ride on Zaraahmando (15/2), trained by his uncle Andy, in the Download The William Hill App Today Handicap. Coen produced the Time Test gelding to lead two furlongs out and held on to beat Secret Magician by half a length. Regarding the Eight Star Syndicate-owned winner, Brian Slattery, brother and assistant to the winning trainer, reported: “We are delighted any time we can get Ben. Zaraahmando is very consistent, although we were concerned about the ground, Ben said he handled it.”