Sean Ward

THE Galway Blazers had the honour of opening the 2016-2017 season in the western region with their annual fixture at Dartfield last Sunday. In spite of some testing underfoot conditions and some heavy showers, two men who will hold fond memories of the fixture are Micheál Bates and Shane Baragry, who recorded their first victories as handler and rider.

Kilmore, Co Wexford-based Bates enjoyed a dream start to his training career as his first-ever runner, Claire Bear (3-5/1). obliged in the Pier Head Bar & Restaurant five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden.

With the final fence omitted for most of the afternoon owing to ground conditions, the daughter of Bienamado kept on gamely in the shadows of the post, under a strong Roger Quinlan-ride, to collar the front-running duo of Aine’s Choice and How Much Is Enough in a dramatic finish.

The five-year-old carries the colours of her rookie handler. who shares her with fellow trainer Peter Maher. Bates commented of his charge, who was unplaced in a Gowran Park bumper on her debut in June: “That was a bit of a surprise as she’s only about 80% fit. She’s only had a couple of gallops and should be open to plenty of improvement. I’ll have to speak to Peter, but we’ll most likely look for a winners’ contest with her.”

CAREER FIRST

The concluding Easyfix & The Turf Club six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden saw teenager Shane Baragry post his initial win in the saddle as he guided his father Jerry’s Heez All Talk (4-5/1) to a battling victory.

A creditable fourth at Castletown a fortnight previously, Heez All Talk made relentless late headway as the field swung into the straight for the final time before eventually shaking off the attentions of favourite Loughmore Run by two and a half lengths.

Baragry snr trains the six-year-old Zagreb gelding at the family’s base outside Fermoy in Co Cork and he remarked: “This fellow ran well the last day but was just too keen. We put the earplugs in today and they seemed to work. He has loads of foot and, in fairness to Shane, he gave him a good ride.”

A total of 10 runners faced the starter in the opening Goffs UK Doncaster Autumn Sale four-year-old maiden and those present witnessed a fortuitous triumph for the Sean Doyle-trained Forgetthesmalltalk (4-6/1).

Turning for home, the Flemensfirth youngster appeared set for a commendable third-placed effort under Barry O’Neill as well-touted newcomers Doc Penfro and Celebre D’Allen were engaged in battle at the head of affairs. However, that pair cruelly departed at the final obstacle, leaving the Monbeg syndicate-owned bay to come home 10 lengths clear of Three Kings.

Doyle disclosed of his victor: “We got a bit of luck on our side. Barry said he was a bit unlucky leaving the back straight as he got hampered by another horse when making his move. He’s a horse we’ve always thought plenty of and he’ll go to the sales now.”

ANOTHER DOUBLE

Perennial regional champion Derek O’Connor rarely leaves the Dartfield venue empty handed and he departed with a brace on the day, the first leg of which was recorded in the Costello Family five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Here the Enda Bolger-trained debutant Moyross (1/2-4/7f) obliged in the manner expected.

Positioned at the head of affairs throughout, the Kayf Tara-gelding produced a number of exceptional leaps and was never unduly troubled to post an authoritative six-length win over the Colin Bowe-handled Lacken Bridge.

Bolger stated of the John Power owned-bay: “He’s a nice horse who has always shown us plenty. In Derek’s opinion, the ground was plenty soft enough for him there now. He was very professional and is a terrific jumper. I’ll speak to the owner about whether he’ll race him or sell him.”

Eleven-time champion rider O’Connor concluded his double aboard fellow favourite Ruairis Cloud (5/4f) in the Jim Derwin winners’ of one. Triumphant in a Bandon adjacent maiden last February, the seven-year-old was produced with a well-timed challenge by O’Connor to head long-time leader Spud’s Trouble turning for home before eventually outpointing main market-rival Golander by six lengths.

The Cloudings-sired grey is trained by the Galwegian’s long-standing supporter Robert Tyner, for Co Cork native John Kingston.

The former said: “We thought this fellow might need the run today. Derek gave him a lovely patient ride, taking his time when they were going a good gallop up front. He’ll most likely go for a hunter’s chase next.”

LOCAL SUCCESS

Half an hour earlier, there was a popular local success in the Renvyle House Hotel & Resort & MacDermot & Allen Solicitors open-lightweight as Follow The Moon (4-6/1) upstaged some better fancied opponents to make a successful transition to open company.

Capably-ridden by Christopher Daniels, the Rainwatch gelding made almost every yard of the running and had sufficient reserves of stamina to fend off market-principal Rossvoss by four lengths at the line.

“He’s done it again. We were worried about the favourite but he did it nicely in the end. We’ll have a look at another open for him next or maybe even a maiden hunters chase,” revealed the winning rider’s father Joseph, who has care of his 11-year-old homebred at his base near Loughrea.

Poignant scenes

There were poignant scenes in the winners’ enclosure following the battling victory of Claire Bear in the mares’ maiden.

Handler Micheál Bates, saddling his initial career victor, explained: “That’s special as she races in my late Dad Michael’s silks. He unfortunately passed away last year so it’s a big day for the family.

“I spent 13 years working with flat horses in New Zealand and Australia and I said I would stick to the flat over here too but I got bored! I have three horses in now and will always take one if offered. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

Baragry delight

17-year-old Shane Baragry belied his inexperience to provide his family’s Heez All Talk with an exemplary waiting ride typical of one of his more senior colleagues of the weigh-tent in the closing novice riders maiden.

The delighted Ballyoran-native, partnering his first winner between the flags, disclosed: “I’m thrilled to be honest, even more so when my first winner was for Dad. All my family have been extremely supportive.

“I’m also riding out locally for Jeanette Riordan and Padráig Higgins and they are great people to learn from too.

“It’s great to get the season off to a good start and hopefully now I can build on this going forward.”