JOSEPH O’Brien sent out his 1,500th winner worldwide since taking out a training licence under a decade ago, as Heartbeat Supreme landed the mile maiden in runaway fashion.
The Owning trainer saddled his first winner with Justice Frederick at Gowran Park in June 2016 and has enjoyed phenomenal global success since including two Melbourne Cups, an Irish Derby and victory at the Breeders’ Cup to reach the 1,500 milestone even quicker than his father Aidan.
Owned in partnership by Middle Cow Unlimited and Patrick Cooney, Heartbeat Supreme was sent off 5/4 favourite, following a promising third here last Friday and made all before stretching clear under Joey Sheridan from over a furlong out for a facile eight-length victory.
“A mile plus is ideal for him,” said Sheridan, who recorded a double on the evening. “He was just a little bit out on his head over seven in a winners’ race the last night.
“You would like to think he could be a stakes horse, and it took me to well past the seven-furlong start to pull him up.
“He has a bit of a future.”
DENIS Hogan has his team in good form this winter and he reached a new high when sending out a 334/1 treble with Sporting Hero, The Liffey and Palmezzano.
Elizabeth Gale only recently moved to Ireland from the UK and got her new career off to a dream start when partnering Sporting Hero to just come out best in an exciting finish to the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
The Winning Chance Syndicate’s 11/2 shot finished strongly inside the final furlong to touch off Arctic Steps by a short head with Bold Optimist just a neck further back in third.
Gale, whose only previous ride in Ireland was a winner in the Ladies’ Derby last June, and also partnered 23 winners under both codes in the UK, said: “He is very straightforward and knows his job, so I just kept it simple and let him roll away.
On her recent move, Gale added: “I moved over to Ireland two weeks ago and I’m here to stay now. I’ve got the dual licence, so I’m looking to ride over jumps again. If anyone is looking for a jockey, I’m around!
“Brian Harding is my stepdad, so I’m down with my family, the Hardings, in Cork. I’m riding out pointers every day of the week, so it is class!”
Successful stablemates
The Liffey (100/30) led home a 1-2 for Hogan and owner James McAuley in the claiming race. The No Nay Never gelding, who held a career high mark of 98 for Aidan O’Brien, was dropping down considerably in class and only needed to be pushed out with hands and heels by Colin Keane to beat stablemate Mehman by three-quarters of a length.
“He has his issues and I’d say he’s hard enough to get fit, but he works like a really good horse. Once he put it all together, he definitely was a class apart,” said McAuley.
Palmezzano, trained by Hogan for his mother Mary, completed the treble in the mile-and-a-half maiden with the 11/1 shot reeling in veteran Ballyadam inside the final furlong, before being driven out by Joey Sheridan to deny well-backed 11/8 favourite Ebony King by half a length.
Sheridan commented: “Delighted for Denis, who is a very hard worker and has his horses in some order now for a long time. He keeps them very consistent.
“It’s my first time riding him and I wanted to keep it simple and be forward. I was able to get a smooth run through and knew he would stay going. He is good and honest, and the blinkers worked.”
THERE was a disappointing turnout for the featured BAR 1 Betting & Casino Rated Race, where the old maxim of ‘back the outsider of three’ proved rewarding as Incredible Army benefited from the addition of a tongue tie and blinkers.
The 11/1 (from 18/1) chance wandered about under pressure in the straight before finishing strongly under Luke McAteer to beat 1/2 favourite Friendly Invoice by a length and a half.
“We said we would try a bit of headgear and a tongue-tie on him tonight, and the drop back in trip and the small field helped. Hopefully he gets a bit of confidence off that now,” said Jack Foley, who trains the colt for Donnchadh Doyle.
Back in front
Jazzy Dancer bridged a losing run of nearly two years to record a fourth career win in the seven-furlong handicap. Owned, trained and bred by Willie Martin, the 8/1 shot was prominent throughout under Wesley Joyce and held off the challenge of Distillate by a diminishing neck.
“We really fancied him on his last run, but he got upset in the stalls and he sulked a bit,” said Martin’s son and assistant Mick. “Wesley gave him a peach, and I said if he breaks, he wins. Hopefully, there is another one in him.”
Fine servant
Unterberg has proved a grand servant for Laura Hourigan and recorded a fifth career win over an extended mile and two furlongs.
The seven-year-old gelding made headway to challenge early in the straight and, despite veering about in front inside the final furlong, kept on well under Rory Mulligan to beat fellow 3/1 joint-favourite Daonethatgotaway by three lengths.
“He travelled well and likes that trip,” said Hourigan, who trains the seven-year-old for the Novum Racing Club. “It was great to get Rory, and it was his last day with his 7lb claim. He rides for me a good bit and anything you ask him to do, he does it.”