THERE was drama on day two at Listowel in the Liam & Joan Healy Memorial Handicap, over a mile and a furlong, in which course specialist Dragon Of Malta (5/1) recorded his fourth Harvest Festival win.
The winner, ridden by Julian Pietropaolo, and Iamimmaculate, partnered by veteran rider and jockey coach Niall McCullagh, were having a great tussle inside the final furlong when the latter mistook the 50-yard marker for the winning post and eased down in the final strides.
McCullagh admitted his misjudgement to the stewards and was suspended for 14 days.
A head was the winning margin and the nine-year-old, owned by the Gzira Syndicate, went on to repeat last year’s feat of winning on successive days at the meeting when striking again on Tuesday.
Winning trainer Pat O’Donnell joked: “The last few times this horse won here, I was at the sales, but Kia Joorabchian hasn’t asked me to go to Tattersalls this time!
“He didn’t break as sharp as he usually does, but Julian did very well to get his position, without burning too much gas.”
Jockey to follow
A native of Shanagolden, Co Limerick, Chris Hayes is always a man to follow at Listowel and he landed the featured John McGuire Handicap, over a mile and a half, on Dermot Weld’s Handani.
The Aga Khan homebred, a gelded son of Medaglia d’Oro, was sent off the 5/2 favourite and raced close to the pace throughout to beat Alphecca by three-parts of a length.
Weld’s son Kris reported: “The track is riding tight today, but Chris got a lovely spot and we knew Handani would see out the trip well. He’s from the same family as Harzand and easy ground is important for him.”
’No hang-ups’
Brendan Duke saddled his fourth winner of the campaign when Canon Law (13/2) led from halfway to take the Kevin’s Bar Listowel/Exchange Inn Handicap over a mile and a half.
The Waldgeist gelding, owned by Martin Hayes and Peter Slezak, was driven out by Reese Holohan to score by three and a quarter lengths from Priorstown.
“He has no hang-ups and doesn’t need any counselling or anything. He’s sounder than a lot of currencies at the moment! You won’t see the best of him until he jumps hurdles,” enthused Duke.
BACKED into 11/4 favouritism for his debut in the one-mile Tote-sponsored maiden, Storm Ready was prominent throughout and battled well for Shane Foley to thwart Zelani by a neck.
The Night Of Thunder gelding was bred by owner John Kirkland and trainer Jessica Harrington commented: “He had a great prep from Jim Ryan, who takes care of John’s horses, and is probably a horse for next year.”
Austrian goes one better
A fast-finishing second on his previous outing at the Curragh, The Austrian (4/7 favourite) completed a double for Harrington and Foley in the Eric Browne Memorial Maiden over a mile and a half. Owned and bred by Mrs Cristina Patino’s Anamoine Ltd, and out of a half-sister to the brilliant Snow Fairy, the New Bay gelding wasn’t hard pressed to account for Teoest by two and a quarter lengths.
“He was still a bit green today, but travelled better through the race, although the track probably didn’t suit him. Hopefully he will step up into listed company,” said Harrington.
JOSEPH O’Brien’s newcomer Magna Victoria (9/2) came from well off a strong pace to take the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden (Smullen Series) over a mile. The Victor Ludorum filly, owned by the Polish-based Millennium Stud, scored by a length and a quarter from fellow closer King Christoph.
“She was green in the first few furlongs and got outpaced, but she came home great,” said rider Declan McDonogh. “I had ridden her in a barrier trial and really liked her.”
David Marnane’s Sonic Sabiha, a 50/1 stable second string and making her third start, kept on into fifth under tender handling.
The stewards found that apprentice Rebecca Parsons and Marnane were in breach of the rule with regard to achieving the best possible placing. The jockey was suspended for 14 days, the filly for 60 days and the trainer was fined €3,000.
Two Kings take the throne
A one-mile handicap was the final leg of the Gain The Advantage Series, comprising six races, and Majestic King (7/2) made virtually all from stall one to win readily.
The Moyglare Stud-bred, and ex-Godolphin-owned, five-year-old accounted for Zaraahmando by three and three-quarter lengths and clinched victory in the series for trainer Denis Hogan, whose reward is €5,000 worth of Gain Equine Nutrition products.
Jockey Daniel King explained: “I am lucky that I am light enough to ride at the bigger weights on the flat and I’m delighted to ride a winner at this festival for the owners (Chomping At The Bit Syndicate), who are a good bunch of lads.”
Lauderdale follows up
Successful over a mile and a half at Cork on his previous start, Lauderdale King (5/2 favourite) had no problem staying an additional two furlongs in the Gerard Lynch Memorial Handicap.
The scopey King Of Change gelding made virtually all under Andrew Slattery and held Louiescall by three-parts of a length.
“He is a grand horse. I’ll run him again on soft ground up until the end of the flat season and he’ll make a lovely novice hurdler next summer,” said trainer Andy Slattery.
“He is owned by brothers-in-law Pat Morrissey and Rory Brennan, from Thurles, and they also have Parnell Street with me.”