BOXING Great and Zoffman fought out a good finish to Ireland’s longest flat race, the Grant Thornton Ulster Cesarewitch over an extended two and a quarter miles.It was the former, sent off the 10/3 favourite, who just got the upper hand close home to score by a neck in the hands of Adam Caffrey.
The six-year-old by Midi, successful at Leopardstown on his previous start, is trained for the Gibneys Racing Syndicate by Karl Thornton, who led up his charge.
“Karl gave me a buzz Saturday evening to ride him work Sunday morning down the Curragh,” said Caffrey. “I had no problem getting up a bit early on my Sunday off to go down and ride him work. He felt great and I knew I was coming here with a big chance.
“I know he is a six-year-old, but he is still fairly green and raw having done so little early in his career. He is really only coming to himself now.”
Leading Lady
Third at a big price at Roscommon four days earlier, Flagstone Lady justified 5/2 favouritism in the first division of the Grant Thornton Handicap over one mile, five furlongs.
Owned by the Flagstone Racing Syndicate, the lightly-weighted winner was produced to lead a furlong out by Reese Holohan and went away to account for No More Hiding by two and a half lengths.
Winning trainer Michael O’Callaghan commented: “The penny only dropped with her in the last couple of furlongs at Roscommon. She’s a filly that stays well, is learning with racing and is going to continue on improving.”
Dancing Steve throws party for McGuinness and Coen
TWICE a winner over shorter trips, Dancing Steve (17/2) showed good reserves of stamina to land the second division of the Grant Thornton Handicap over one mile, five furlongs.
A 21st winner for the campaign for apprentice title-race leader Sam Coen, the Highland Reel gelding came from mid-division to head longtime leader Connecteo inside the final furlong and post a half-length victory in the colours of Breen White.
“We were drawn wide and I did tell Sam to drop this one in, he just about gets the trip, but he needs to be put asleep very early on. He did exactly what he was told,” said trainer Ado McGuinness. “I told him he better bring me to the party if he wins it (apprentice title)!”
Leane ready for Dundalk
Trained by Maurice Ahern for John O’Shaughnessy, Lough Leane (7/1) took the Children’s Heartbeat Trust Apprentice Handicap over an extended mile and a quarter.
Under a ground-saving ride from Adam Browne-Souza, the Cityscape gelding led over a furlong out to beat Sweet Baby Zou by two and a half lengths.
“He likes the nice ground,” explained Ahern. “We were aiming him at Galway, and we said it would be a bit soft, and we went to Naas and it was too quick. He’ll do the winter in Dundalk now.”
Premier shows pace
Sent off 12/1, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Premier View won the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden over five furlongs.
Gelded since finishing down the field on debut at Gowran in June, and fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, Roger Brookhouse’s son of Invincible Army went on over a furlong out to beat Tom McCourt’s newcomer Spirit Of The Nite by half a length.
“He’s a horse that shows plenty of raw speed at home,” said winning rider Conor Cusack. “His pedigree and all says six furlongs really, so five today was no problem to him - he showed plenty of pace early doors and it suited him well.”
TRAINED by Josh Halley for Mrs Elaine Halley, Romance (7/1) finished strongly to win the Grant Thornton Nursery over seven furlongs.
The grey daughter of Kendargent had only one of her nine rivals behind her after rounding the elbow but, once switched to the outside, picked up well to beat Elyatta by two and a quarter lengths. Rider Andrew Slattery reported: “First-time tongue-tie and she relaxed really well today. I didn’t think I was going to trouble the judge too much but, just when I got a little bit of daylight, she found a gear and took off.”
Joy justifies favouritism
Always prominent under Wayne Lordan, Sovreigns Joy justified 15/8 favouritism in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden over seven furlongs.
Hugging the rail throughout, the Kameko found plenty off the bridle to account for Essence Of Time by two and three-quarter lengths. Owned by Gary Devlin, Craig Bryson and Kevin Osborne, the winner was stepping up a place after a good run at Leopardstown last month.
“This has been a lucky race for us (third success in a row),” said trainer Natalia Lupini. “Wayne said he will benefit from going a mile and when he progresses as a three-year-old, he will be a nice horse to have.”
Magico meets the mark
Touched off on her previous start at Navan, the Dermot Farrington-owned Forza Magico justified even-money favouritism by three-parts of a length in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over five furlongs. The daughter of Aclaim was drawn wide, but Joey Sheridan brought her across to track the leaders at halfway and she picked up well to take the measure of Osterode inside the final 100 yards.
“Joey said she had a little look when she got there, so there is plenty of improvement in her,” said trainer Johnny Feane.“Sprinters, you can’t beat running them. A fillies’ handicap, maybe over six furlongs, might be next.”