TANGO Flare (4/1) got up on the line to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race for a third time. The Fulbright gelding had landed the six-furlong contest in 2023 and 2024 and was runner-up last year.
Trained by Pat Foley for Ray McSharry, the seven-year-old was brave to go up a gap on the rail in the closing stages and just prevailed by a short-head from Gazelle D’or.
Rider Luke McAteer enthused: “He’s a legend. Three years ago, I lost my claim on him here. I thought a furlong down I was in trouble, but he stuck at it well.”
Carroll making waves
The Fiver Fridays At Fairyhouse Rated Race over seven furlongs went to the Gary Carroll-ridden Ocean’s Breath. The 15/8 favourite, owned by Vincent Gaul, tracked County Carlow and took over in front approaching the final furlong to defeat that rival by three lengths.
After sending out his seventh winner of the week, trainer Ger Lyons remarked: “I said around a bend here, we’d try him over seven. Gary said that he’d nearly get a mile, the way he ran on. He has a great temperament and I love the sire Bated Breath, he has been good to us.”
I’m Spartacus (10/3 favourite) gained a first win on turf in the six-furlong 0-60 handicap. The Paddy and Conor McKeever-owned five-year-old grabbed the lead under Adam Caffrey approaching the final furlong to score by two and a half lengths from Glen Breeze.
The Profitable gelding has six all-weather wins to his name and trainer Ado McGuinness reflected: “He’s well down on the grass compared to the all-weather, so he was entitled to win off his mark. Hopefully we can collect somewhere again with him.”
BILLY Lee delivered Amavasya (11/1) with a perfectly-timed challenge to take the first division of the 0-60 handicap over a mile and a quarter.
The Sea The Moon filly was switched out from the rail over a furlong out and collared tail-swishing front-runner Coul Dore close home for a neck success.
Winning trainer Michael Grassick said: “She’s always shown us a little bit at home, but she’d taken time to develop.
“There’s not much of her and she’s a delicate filly. In fairness to William Keeling (owner), he’s been very patient with her. If anyone else had her, they’d be telling you to move her on.”
Study break
Reese Holohan took a break from his Leaving Certificate commitments to land the second division of that handicap on Peter Fahey’s Alto Sax (9/2).
Ridden to lead over a furlong out, the blinkered five-year-old scored by a length and a quarter from Miss Americana in the colours of the Normal People Syndicate,
Fahey commented: “I think the step up to a mile and a quarter probably helped him and he’s starting to get a bit smarter out of the stalls, he was giving away a lot of races with slow breaks.”
Patience pays
The 107-rated Al Haarith was sent off a short-priced favourite for the seven-furlong maiden, but never landed a blow as Oro Blanco (11/1) built on two creditable previous outings to get off the mark.
With Jessica Harrington’s stable jockey Shane Foley on a more fancied stablemate Suspicious Mindz (finished seventh), Scott McCullagh rode the Havana Grey gelding.
From a wide draw, the winner got into a good position and led approaching the final furlong to beat Krasimir by two and a half lengths in the colours of the Rebels & Rogues Syndicate.
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “We’re delighted with him. Ciaran O’Toole picked him up at the Goffs Classic (Breeze Up) Sale. He was just a big, weak horse last year and we gave him plenty of time. He’s a nice progressive horse.”
On his €36,000 purchase, Ciaran O’Toole added: “When I was at the sales, Bobby O’Ryan gave me great encouragement to buy him and I have to thank him. I was losing my bottle and he told me to keep going!”
JACK Cleary rode a double for Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners with his first winner coming aboard Florida Bay who led home a 1-2-3 for progeny of Mehmas in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race over seven furlongs.
Sent off a well-supported 8/15 shot to build on a promising debut effort at Leopardstown, Florida Bay was towards the head of affairs throughout but had to work to see off Mudyrk by half a length.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said “Jack said he’d probably be better going up to a mile. He’ll have no problem stepping up into stakes company and will probably go to Naas next for the Pat Smullen listed race. If he doesn’t go there, he could be one for the Tyros Stakes.”
Antigua (11/4 ) made all in the three-year-old maiden over a mile and a quarter to complete 5lb claimer Cleary’s brace.
The Camelot colt, in first-time blinkers and a tongue-tie, carried Peter Brant’s green colours and kept on well in the straight to win by three and a quarter lengths from market leader Noble Honour. “Jack let him at it from the word go and set a solid, even tempo,” said Armstrong.
“This is probably his trip, but he’s in the Ulster Derby in a couple of weeks time and it might be worth a crack at that. We’ll see what way the race in Down Royal cuts up, and he might be worth a go at it. If not, we’ll find a mile-and-a-quarter handicap for him.”