DERMOT Weld and Chris Hayes teamed up for a double in Navan last Saturday that comprised both divisions of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
Katashuna contested division one and the 4/1 shot was prominent throughout before Hayes rode her past 13/8 favourite Tea Rose two furlongs down.
She was strong in the closing stages in scoring by a length and three-parts from Therewillbeglory, in the colours of the Exors of the Late H H Aga Khan.
Weld said: “A fine, big mare and got an excellent ride from Chris Hayes. A lovely striding big mare and he utilised that, and I have an old saying ‘she attacked the hill’. Rolled away lovely.”
Successful debut
Shamalza made her debut in the second divide and was all the rage in the market, as her price contracted from 10/3 to 11/8 favourite.
It was a similar story in that Hayes produced her to lead two furlongs out, however, the finish was much closer. She was strongly pressed by 25/1 shot Marmeladova close home before clinging on by a nose, again for the Exors of the Late H H Aga Khan.
The trainer said: “She has been a late-maturing filly, a late-developing filly. We had waited for what we had hoped would be nice ease in the ground but, to be fair to Navan, it was safe ground.
“She battled very well and very pleased with her. She got a little bit tired on her first run and I would anticipate plenty of improvement.”
TREASURED Royal reaped the benefit of an introductory fifth at the Curragh when successful in the Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies Maiden over an extended five furlongs.
The 11/4 favourite tracked the leaders and progressed from fourth at the halfway point to strike the front a couple of furlongs from home. Robert Whearty kept her up to her work at the business end, as she came in by three quarters of a length for Kiva Cromwell and Coragh Bloodstock Limited.
Gavin Cromwell said: “She was drawn on the wrong side in the Curragh, but she did run well. Her work has been good all along and improving all the time. She went off favourite in the Curragh because we fancied her, I suppose.
“She will be for sale and, whether that means she leaves the yard or goes away, I’m not sure. She is a nice filly that we would love to have for next year. She has loads of size and scope.”
Snug win
Jessica Harrington’s Slaudeen picked up a good pot for Alpha Racing when getting up by a neck in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race over the extended five furlongs.
There was a real bunch up inside the final furlong and Shane Foley conjured a finish from Slaudeen who joined Cactus in the final 50 yards before edging ahead close home at 4/1.
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “He hasn’t been doing things right in his races, so we just dropped him back to six. He has been gelded and he did everything right today. Shane said he won snug enough in the end, so it is great to see him do that. There’s not even a blow out of him there.”
”She’s getting quicker”
Amicitia (3/1 favourite) was very swiftly away from the gates in the Navan Racing Festival Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now Handicap over five furlongs.
Ben Coen’s mount made all on the stands’ side and was tough in the closing stages as she posted a two-and-a-quarter-length success for J.P. Murtagh Racing.
After her breakthrough at the fifth time of asking, Johnny Murtagh said: “She pinged the gates last week (in the Curragh) and she just got caught late on. Five (furlongs) back here was made for her - she had run well here earlier in the year. She’s getting quicker with a bit of racing.”
NEZEEH overcame a tardy start to land the Christmas Parties Navan Racecourse On 6th & 14th December Handicap with a powerful finish.
The 3/1 favourite made headway for Wayne Hassett a furlong and a half down and the jockey steered him to challenge Sir Yoshi in the final furlong. He grabbed the lead close home and saw it out by half a length for trainer Denis Hogan.
“You would wonder why we were out of it (racing) so long!” owner James McAuley said. “It is brilliant, we only bought this lad off Denis literally two days before he ran the last day. He has definitely got very consistent for sure.”
Motoring home
Harseva (16/1) motored home to claim the Return Of The Jumps At Navan Racecourse September 20th Handicap by half a length.
The Harzand mare travelled well for Joey Sheridan and improved into third as the race unfolded approaching the final furlong. Further momentum saw her lead in the final 100 yards and she kept on best for owner Tomas Mulholland. Patrick Magee said: “Great to get a run (first reserve), I thought she would get in as the ground tightened up. She does like it here and Joey gave her a great ride, he is riding really well.”
Big surprise
Railwayview Lady and Adam Caffrey sprang a major surprise at 125/1 in the Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden. She came with a sustained run to serve it up to Navinsky in the final furlong and got the better of him close home to win by a neck for the Railway View Racing Syndicate.
Andy Oliver said: “We knew the ability was there and we were hoping that this track would suit her. Ground and everything went to plan.
“The syndicate is three brothers from Dromore, the Mackey brothers, and I would have played rugby with them. That’s how long back we go! They have waited patiently and deserved the win.” Caffrey was handed a four-day suspension for frequency with the whip on the winner.