THREE days after accepting the role as Juddmonte Farm’s retained rider, Colin Keane completed a Limerick double on Wednesday, where the champion jockey partnered winners for trainers Ray Cody and Michael O’Callaghan.
Six-time champion Keane began by winning the Conference & Banqueting Facilities Handicap on the Cody-trained, Ballygallon Stud-owned and bred Enziya, who overcame a slow start to eventually win by a neck from Bridezilla, in a blanket finish.
Afterwards Cody commented, “He isn’t quick so the plan was to ride him handier today, but you have to take your medicine as he can be slow into stride. Colin said there was no point in forcing him early-on, he gave him a chance and rode him to come home.
“He timed it to perfection and gave him a brilliant ride. He has a very good pedigree and while not many Night Of Thunders get that distance, that is his trip and he is going the right way. He’ll be alright and could even jump a hurdle down the line. He is lazy but genuine.”
Point scored
Keane doubled up on the O’Callaghan-trained Facethepuckout (11/2) in the Jim Ryan Racecourses Services Memorial Handicap. Keane sat up with the pace and gained a narrow advantage in the final 100 yards to account for the rallying long-time leader Expound by a neck.
O’Callaghan’s race planner Justin O’Hanlon reported: “He had a good run at Listowel the last day over six furlongs, which was a bit sharp for him, and was flat out the whole way before coming home well.
“Today’s slow-run race suited him, and Colin said he had plenty left at the line if he needed more. We were concerned the ground was quick enough for him, but he has done well and is a proper horse.
“Seven (furlongs) with an ease is probably his ideal race and we’ll look at Galway now, where he could go for the Ahonoora (Handicap).”
DYLAN Browne McMonagle was another jockey to register a double, initially combining with his employer Joseph O’Brien and later scored a first success for trainer Kieran Cotter. McMonagle steered the O’Brien-trained, Power Thoroughbred Ltd-owned Valorous Power (100/30) to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, with the pair making all for a comfortable success.
O’Brien’s representative Michael Halford stated: “Dylan is very good riding from the front and used this horse’s experience. He had the form to win, and Dylan kept it very simple on him.
“He is a lovely horse, has a good attitude and I’d say he will keep improving with racing. We’re delighted to get the maiden win with him.”
First for McMonagle/Cotter
Browne McMonagle later scored on the Cotter-trained Martinelli (9/2) in the Summer Racing At Limerick Handicap. The winner sat at the rear of the fieldbefore making headway two furlongs out and led inside the final furlong to score readily by two and a quarter lengths from Heliogabalus
Cotter commented: “That’s Dylan’s first winner for us but he had ridden this horse to finish third in the past so knew him well. The plan today, with the better ground and a nice gallop, was to drop in, settle him and come with one run. He came home well.”
Claim reduced
Racing began with the Wallstone Optional Claiming Race, which was won by 16-year-old apprentice Dylan O’Connor on the Denis Hogan-trained 6/1 shot Solomon.
Slow from the gates, Solomon took a keen hold in midfield and the pair began to pick off their rivals from four out. Eventually hitting the front inside the final furlong, he went to win by two lengths going away from Gracesolution.
Hogan later reported, “He was the top-rated horse but at the same time hadn’t been doing it in handicaps. Those races are lovely for the likes of him.
“I got Tony and Mike (O’Brien) to buy him so I’m happy he has won a race for them. I’m delighted for Dylan who has lost his 10lb claim now, which will help him do lighter weights.”
The winner was subsequently claimed for €15,000 by Paul Sweeney.
FATHER and son Andy and Andrew Slattery combined to win the Follow Limerick On Instagram Handicap (Div I) with Zaraahmando (6/1), which gained a breakthrough first success.
The winner sat on the outside of the field, before coming under a ride a furlong from home, to win going way by a length and a half from James The Second.
Trainer Andy later stated: “The horses have been running well all evening but just hadn’t been getting there, so this is great. That distance and a fast pace suits this horse.
“All his owners (Eight Star Syndicate) are above in a pub in Moira (Co Down) and couldn’t get down, but they’re having a great day!”
Not In The Minus now
Trainer/jockey Sean Davis landed the second divide of the race, when steering well-backed three-year-old In The Minus (morning 11/1, returned 5s) to a maiden success.
Settled at the rear of mid-division, the winning pair came between horses to lead at the furlong pole before lengthening and leaving the closest finisher three lengths in their wake.
Regarding the M Eight Syndicate-owned gelding, Davis said: “He didn’t go around Bellewstown two runs ago but had a lovely run the last day. That latest run was against the older horses so it was a good run.
“To come back here tonight, I’d say the track and ground suited and he was able to do it well. I’d be hoping he’ll be progressive and those 0-60s are a blessing to us here in Ireland.”
Party time
The Willie McCreery-trained Party Dress caused a 25/1 surprise when holding on to land the concluding HM Travel Handicap, providing jockey Jessice Maye with a fourth success.
The winning five-year-old took a keen hold and pressed the leaders before going clear over three furlongs out. Makaiah came with a run on the inside, but couldn’t pass Maye who held on by a short head.
McCreery said, “That is deadly as Jessica works very hard and is a great work-rider at home, so I’m delighted for her. She went lovely fractions in front, the mare seemed to love it and having the first-time tongue-tie seemed to help her. She is a grand mare, and I’d love to win a chase with her.”