ROMEO Sensini was the first of four to make all on this seven-race programme, with the Laura Flood and Nicola Dwyer-owned bay trouncing eight rivals in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden.
Trained by Andy Slattery and ridden by his son Andrew, the Magna Grecia colt finished ninth on his debut over the course and distance a week earlier and was sent off at 11/2 (supported from 10s to 10/3 early) for this seven-furlong heat.
Leaving that effort well behind him, the €12,000 Goffs November Foal Sale purchase was ridden with less than two furlongs to go and soon shot clear, eventually coming home 10 lengths to the good.
“I thought he’d do it last week, but he just ran too green in behind,” the winning trainer commented. “Andrew didn’t want me to run him at this track as he thought he was too raw for it, but he came on a lot from last week and he’s a nice horse.”
Fabulous Friday
Preparations (11/4 favourite) failed to fire for the Slatterys in the Garvey’s Bar Ballintubber Handicap, with the evergreen Out On Friday claiming this seven-runner contest for owner/breeder Tony Deegan. By far the most experienced runner in the line-up, the admirable Philip Byrne-trained nine-year-old adopted his customary front-running role under Wesley Joyce.
Shaking off the attentions of the market leader from the two-furlong pole, the 13/2 chance (from 10s) was soon ridden and battled gamely in the closing stages, holding off the effort of Action Plan, who met with trouble in running, by a neck.
“He had three weeks since his last run, we gave him a chance, and we were hoping for a good run,” Co Offaly-based Byrne reflected.
“Wesley just gets it right from the front, he gets his fractions perfect. That’s his eighth win now and he’s a brilliant horse.”
MATTHEW Smith got the better of his brother Kevin, as La La Lucrative (16/1 from 25s) led home Blue Wood in the McGowan Accountancy Services Handicap.
A winner at Leicester in October when in the care of Gemma Tutty, the successful Profitable four-year-old was subsequently bought by Smith for £7,000.
Breaking smartly to lead under Robbie Colgan, he had all his rivals off the bridle from the two-furlong pole, finding plenty for pressure in the closing stages to score by three and a half lengths.
“I thought the ground might be a bit quick to be honest. He’s a hardy little horse. I knew it was safe, but I thought he wanted softish ground,” Smith said of the Sean Gillen-owned victor.
There was further success for Profitable in the Abbey Hotel Roscommon Handicap, with Jessica Harrington’s Thrifty Of Digby (15/2) another to make all.
Third when last seen at Limerick, the Pat Harty-owned chesnut was pushed along entering the straight and, while ridden from the two-furlong pole, she kept finding for pressure under Shane Foley, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good.
“It wasn’t really the plan to make it, but after seeing the first couple of races, and the way she jumped, we diverted to plan B,” Foley explained.
“She enjoys being in front too and it’s nice to get it.”
A DIFFICULT evening for favourite-backers began on a sour note, with 8/15 chance No Such Thing managing only sixth in the opening Roscommon Claiming Maiden.
In for €20,000, the cleverly named Spent All Me Money led home 11 rivals in this seven-furlong heat, with the Jack Davison-trained gelding returned at 6/1.
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and settled in mid-division by James Ryan, the No Nay Never bay was a bit short of room from the two-furlong pole.
Soon getting a dream run through on the inner, he swept to the front inside the final 150 yards and ultimately had two and a half lengths to spare at the line.
“It was a nice ride. He had to switch back in to follow the stronger finishing horses. The horse found the rail then on the inside and he picked up well right to the finish,” Davison said of the Noreen Galvin and John Wade-owned victor.
No claims were lodged in the aftermath.
Beaten favourite
Another odds-on favourite was soundly beaten in the JTW Distribution Roscommon Maiden, with the Declan McDonogh-ridden Omni Man (6/4) overturning Mocking (8/13) in this four-runner contest.
Settled behind the market leader in second, the Joseph O’Brien-trained victor eased to the front with a furlong and a half to go and quickly skipped clear from there.
Carrying the colours of Go Racing Limited, the €110,000 Arqana Breeze-Up purchase had seven and a half lengths to spare at the line.
“He loved the ground and stepping up the two furlongs,” stable representative Mick Halford reported. “I’d say he’s getting better with racing and he’s a nice big progressive horse.”
Dream run
O’Brien had to settle for minor honours in the concluding Racing Again Here On June 9th Handicap, with his Cinammon Coco finishing second to the Charles Cranston-owned Coulstys Way.
Placed on recent starts at Tipperary and Ballinrobe respectively, the Patrick Magee-trained victor was returned a 4/1 chance (touched 7s early) and was settled behind the leaders by Robert Whearty.
Getting a dream run through on the inner approaching the straight, the €6,500 Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale purchase soon led and was ridden with less than two furlongs to go, finding plenty in the closing stages to score by two lengths.
“She’s been knocking on the door,” Magee remarked. “I think the step up in trip was the big thing. She just got into a lovely rhythm and stayed galloping really well. We’re delighted.”