PAT Murphy recorded a Dundalk double on Friday, with Methgal and Desert Friend scoring within half an hour of each other
Eleven-race maiden Methgal (28s - 16/1) benefited from a return to seven furlongs and new tactics employed by Conor Cusack, racing prominently and kept on well for a half-length success in the colours of Mrs Diane Murphy
Trainer Murphy said: “Conor, who has come to ride out for me a lot lately, did a great job and while the horse has loads of ability, is just a bit tricky and has his own ideas about the game.
“We said we’d keep him lit over a shorter distance and it worked, so hopefully he will improve from that. We will try him on the turf now.”
Hard work
Murphy’s dual-purpose 10-year-old Desert Friend (13/2) gave jockey Chris Hayes a strenuous workout in the two-mile handicap, as the keen-goer scored an eighth career success, and first for Murphy, when defeating Disco Boy by three-parts of a length.
On the Margaret Ahern-owned winner, Murphy reported: “For whatever reason Desert Friend has become keen in his races. He’s not bad at home and we are just trying to keep him settled. We changed his bit for his last run but he was keen again tonight.
“In fairness to Chris (Hayes), he held on to him although he is now giving more of a blow than the horse! I was wondering why he didn’t ‘go’ at the two-furlong pole but he said afterwards that he needed a break!
“Small fields and maybe a turning track (on turf), would suit so hopefully he will win another one.”
THERE was an impressive winner of the juvenile Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden, as newcomer Maria Quiteria (4/6 - 4/9 favourite) scored easily for trainer Robson De Aguiar, the First Law Syndicate and Donagh O’Connor.
Purchased for €25,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale last September, the Churchill filly raced prominently and quickened clear of her rivals to score by four and a quarter lengths from stablemate Belle Island.
De Aguiar had made seven entries for today’s race and reported: “Maria Quiteria is a nice filly who has shown a lot of class at home and we had the opportunity to get the Goffs bonus (of €50,000) - that’s why we came and we will go forward on the turf now.
“Six/seven (furlongs) which will be no problem for her and I think she has a really bright future. We will probably run her in Naas in the Group 3 for fillies over six furlongs.”
Improving
The well-bred Gaiety Girl (5/4 favourite) scored for owner/trainer Paul McEnery in the Bar 1 Betting “Join Our Weekly Rewards” Maiden, in the hands of jockey Colin Keane.
Bought unraced from Godolphin for 24,000gns, the Kingman filly belied her rating of 64 by travelling well and comfortably beating the 82-rated Wild Sapphire by two and three quarter lengths.
Keane reported: “Gaiety Girl has improved from run to run and the step up to a mile helped as well. To be fair to her, she probably is a little bit better than her mark.
“It was nice to get that box ticked with her and if they keep going with her, I think they will have a bit of fun during the summer on nice ground. I couldn’t see why she wouldn’t transfer her form to turf as she is a good-moving filly.”
RISING Sky (13/2) became a second winner in as many days for Anthony McCann when landing the concluding 10-furlong handicap under Patrick McGettigan.
Competing off a career-low mark of 56, the 13-race maiden made headway approaching the turn for home and led entering the straight. Ridden approaching the final furlong, the Glenhoy-owned filly kept on to score by two and three quarter lengths
McCann, who had swapped cheekpieces for first-time blinkers and tongue-tie, explained: “Rising Sky has plenty of headgear on as when I only saw only nine runners, I said I’d throw the kitchen sink at her.
“Patrick’s 7lb claim was massive as well and thanks to Luke McAteer (jockey) who recommended him.
“It is brilliant for the owners as she always had a hard luck story and a big thanks to the lads in the yard, as that’s three winners in ten days.”
Poignant
James Gough was remembered following Benavente’s (10/1) poignant win in the opening apprentice optional claiming race, carrying the colours of the late owner’s nephew, James McAuley.
McAuley and Denis Hogan were represented by three of the seven runners, with Julian Pietropaolo steering Benavente to a three-and-a-quarter-length success from Thaloria.
Recalling Gough, McAuley said: “Racing was never about money for him, it was just about leading in his winners. He won’t have any complaints himself although he ruffled a few feathers in racing, which kept him active and young!”
“We throw a few darts and it never mattered which one of them won, and Jim was the same. We try and support these claimers and there would have only been five or six runners if we didn’t run today.”
On the up
In the seven-furlong handicap, Bishopton (7/2 favourite) registered a third career success for Natalia Lupini and owners O’Hare, Sloan, Mocchetti and Kabin Racing Syndicate.
Paddy Harnett’s mount edged ahead inside the final furlong and scored by half a length from Venetian. Lupini commented: “He has options over six or seven furlongs now and we hope he could be a lovely ‘Saturday horse’ for the bigger meetings, like Guineas weekend.
“He’s entered here next week so we will have a look at the weight and, if it is too much of a task, he will go back to turf when the ground dries up. He wouldn’t handle the soft ground.”