ROBSON De Aguiar saddled his first winner since acquiring his trainer’s licence when the Amo Racing Limited-owned Bryant (3/1) took the BAR 1 Betting Handicap over two miles.
The Wootton Bassett colt raced close to the pace under David Egan and headed Gentleman Joe entering the final quarter-mile before staying on well to account for that rival by a length and a half.
De Aguiar has been a lynchpin of Adrian Murray’s stable in recent years and Bryant was the first runner in his own name when finishing third here in mid-November.
The Brazilian, based near Mullingar, confirmed that he has taken over all the flat horses who heretofore raced for Murray.
“It’s nice to have the first winner,” said De Aguiar. “Thanks to Kia Joorabchian for the support and thanks to all the team at home. We will try and qualify him for All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle on Good Friday. The two-mile race is the target for him.”
Dundalk debut
After a couple of placed efforts on turf, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Angelight (11/4) made a winning all-weather debut in the BAR 1 Betting Fillies Maiden.
The daughter of Pinatubo hit the front inside the final furlong and went away to beat Pretty Omagh Girl by a length and a quarter.
Winning rider Declan McDonogh, sporting the colours of owner John C Oxley, said: “She was a little bit timid in behind them, but when she got a bit of room in the straight, she ran on strong. She stays well and could progress.”
On a roll
After a double at the Dundalk meeting held two days previously, trainer Stephen Thorne struck again when Innumerable (10/1) took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden under Jack Kearney.
The Inns Of Court juvenile improved to lead inside the final furlong and kept on well to defeat Velvet Reign by half a length. The winner is owned by International Equine LLC, Shamrock Thoroughbreds and Mrs Anne O’Callaghan.
Thorne said: “Her Curragh run back in May gave us a lot of confidence that she would be capable of winning her maiden, but she suffered a bit of a setback in late spring and we only just ended up getting her out a couple of weeks ago here.
“She ran a bit free and gassy and Shane Foley looked after her. I think she will be more than capable of competing in the three-year-old grade next year.”
COLLECTIVE Power (7/1) has been a stalwart of Eddie Lynam’s yard for several years and recorded his ninth career victory in the Bar 1 Betting Handicap over six furlongs.
The Sole Power gelding, who carries the colours of the late Sabena Power, came from off the pace under Sorcha Woods to beat Nikki Swango by three parts of a length.
Woods, who picked up a two-day careless riding ban for nudging Billy Lee’s mount Rappell out of the way early in the straight, said: “He has been giving me grief all week at home, he’s paid me back today! He’s been mad well at home.
“When he has a good gallop like that, he picks up well off it. The Powers have been great, they have let me ride him nearly every time he runs.”
Close finish
Arctic Steps (12/1) got up in the final stride under Patrick McGettigan to land the apprentice handicap over five furlongs.
Owned and trained by Paul Mulligan, the Footstepsinthesand filly had headgear fitted for the first time and, having looked held in second racing to the final furlong, found a bit extra in the closing stages to touch off Hasiyna by a head.
“We put cheekpieces on her and gave her a gallop here last week and we thought she was a lot better with them,” said Mulligan.
“Our own lad Rory would have been riding her, only he has gone to Australia. He’s with Robbie Griffiths in Melbourne and he will be back in Johnny Murtagh’s for the flat.”
THE Ado McGuinness-trained Beau Army (7/1) broke her maiden in the six-furlong nursery under Rory Cleary. The Invincible Army filly worked her way to the front inside the final furlong and posted a half-length victory over Royal County Glory.
McGuinness, who trains the winner for Martin White, Nigel O’Hare and the Kabin Racing Syndicate, commented: “She finished strong the last day over seven and I was a little bit worried about dropping her back in trip. She has plenty of boot and is learning, she is still green.”
Killian Leonard picked up a six-day suspension for careless riding after an incident approaching the first bend, where his mount Mr Kobe tightened up the Patrick McGettigan-ridden Queenofthefairys. Both horses finished in rear.
Claimed
Stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time, Don’t Get Me Wrong (13/2) won the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Stadium Claiming Race under in-form apprentice Julian Pietropaolo. The Due Diligence gelding collared Coincidental Glory (11/4 favourite) close home to post a half-length success.
Trainer Kevin Coleman said of his wife Kim’s winner: “He’s only learning to race. He’ll improve again and I’d imagine he is worth 12 grand (claiming price) all day long.”
The winner was subsequently claimed by Lance Bloodstock Limited to be trained by Ger O’Leary.
Off the mark
Well-backed on his debut for Johnny Murtagh, Fixation (5/4 favourite) duly obliged in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
Second in a Leopardstown maiden for Nicky Stokes during the summer, the Tamayuz gelding powered home down the stands’ side and got up close home to score by a neck from Tribal Moon.
The three-year-old, owned by J.P. Murtagh Racing, was winning off an opening mark of 70 and jockey Ben Coen commented: “He’s not with us all that long, we liked what we saw at home, so hopefully he can keep improving.”