LAST Saturday once again marked another successful renewal of the Stonehall Harriers fixture at the long-running Ballysteen venue.
Now playing host to point-to-point racing for nearly 30 years, the Co Limerick track proved to be a popular day out for racegoers, as they enjoyed some exciting action in sunny conditions.
The meeting got off to a sensational start in the opening division of the four-year-old maiden as the Colin Bowe-trained newcomer Midtown Manhattan (1/1 - 7/4 favourite) made every yard of the running under Barry O’Neill to score in decisive fashion by six and a half lengths from runner-up, Thereyare, in what was a victory that somewhat echoed the performance of the great Faugheen at this venue in 2012.
Having been a €40,000 Derby Sale purchase by his handler and running in the colours of Milestone Bloodstock, he looked a sharp type on debut.
Improvement
“His dam, Clara Allen, was a bumper winner on debut and later picked up a listed placing on the flat,” the winning handler explained. “He’s very tall and still a bit weak, so I’d imagine there will be plenty of improvement to come from him.”
The second division of the four-year-old maiden also saw a Co Wexford-trained horse come to the fore, as Coq Noir (3/1 - 9/2), a newcomer son of Cokoriko, overcame a jumping error three out before staying on best under Jack Hendrick to head long-time leader, Perfect Reel, close home and take the spoils by a neck for handler Cormac Doyle and owners Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership.
“He recovered smartly after making a mistake, stayed going well, and was tough,” Doyle reported. “He’s for sale now and will hopefully return to the sales ring at Goffs Punchestown Sale on Thursday evening.”
Hendrick double
There was further success for Jack Hendrick in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden as the Co Wexford-born rider registered a double on the card when the Pierce Power-owned and trained Some Song (5/1 - 6/1) stayed on best to record a four-length victory from runner-up, Makinbecon.
The pair drew clear on the run to the penultimate obstacle and, ultimately, it was the Mahler-sired newcomer who got the upper hand on his more experienced rival in what was a taking performance on debut.
“He had a great start in life and was consigned by White Horse Stud at the Derby Sale. Michael Cullen isn’t well at the moment, and they’re brilliant people at producing these horses, so I really hope he gets a kick out of that,” Power commented.
“We probably didn’t see him at his best today as this is a sharp track and, ideally, he wants a big galloping track, and it probably goes to show just how good he is that he was able to get away with it. He’s a proper one.”
HAVING tasted success twice already this season in winners’ company, the Pat Doyle-trained Magic Sadler (4/5 - 1/1) made a successful introduction to the open lightweight division when repelling the challenge of proven category performer, The Great Unknown, to score by two lengths under David Doyle and take the open contest.
Having led or disputed along with his main market rival from an early stage, Magic Sadler’s jumping proved to be the slicker and, in the end, it was a faster jump at the last that sealed victory for the Pat Brogan-owned seven-year-old.
“He’s done things really well this season,” the Tipperary handler noted. “He’s probably much better going left-handed. He’s done all his winning for me on left-handed tracks this season, Bellharbour, Rathcannon, and here today.”
Compensation
Leading lady rider Toni Quail did not have to wait long to gain some compensation for the defeat of The Great Unknown, as 30 minutes later, the Sam Curling-trained Cosmic Blizzard (2/1 – 5/2 joint-favourite) struck to record a third career success in the winners-of-two contest, whilst also edging Quail to the lead in the race for the ladies’ title.
With now customary front-running tactics employed, the Daniel Boland-owned six-year-old quickened clear on the run to the final fence before battling gamely up the run-in to resist the late challenge of runner-up, Suttons Hill, by a neck.
“The ground was probably as soft as he’d want it there today,” Curling explained. “I think there’s a winners-of-three coming up in the next few weeks, so he’ll go for that and then he’ll go on to Doncaster to be sold.”
THE five-year-old mares’ maiden saw the well-bred debutante, Viscountess Nelson (3/1 - 5/1), make her initial start a winning one for handler Paurick O’Connor in the colours of Three Dudes Syndicate.
Having fenced well throughout, the daughter of Mount Nelson had primarily been settled in mid-division by Eoin Mahon before making smooth progress to the head of affairs on the run down the hill and eventually sealed the contest with a quicker jump at the last to beat favourite, Belle Star Outlaw, by a length and a half.
“She has a massive pedigree,” O’Connor explained. “Her dam, Taws, was a six-time winner on the flat and won a bumper. She was bought as a foal for €36,000 by Peter Molony. Peter is still involved in her, and he is here today. She’s for sale now.”
Older maiden
The finale featured a field of 10 runners heading to post for the six-year-old and upwards maiden. A number of horses brought placed form into the contest, including market leader, Diamond Hunter, who had just been touched off in a similar event six days previously.
However, it was the Enda Bolger-owned and trained Stan Wellback (2/1 - 7/4), who poached an early lead and was never reeled in afterwards to score by three lengths from the favourite in the hands of Ray Barron.
Great ride
“He put in a good round of jumping,” Bolger remarked. “We’ll see whether we take in a hunter chase or a winners’ race before the end of the season. It’s hard luck on Dave Russell, who dislocated his shoulder last week, but Ray stepped in and gave him a great ride.”
Perfect Reel (D.P. Berry): He was having his initial start between the flags after making his career debut inside the rails in a mile maiden as a three-year-old.
The Highland Reel-sired gelding set a quick tempo up front and gave it his all from the second last before being headed by the eventual winner. This was still a cracking effort and he should get his day in the coming weeks.