Sean Ward
FORMER and current The Irish Field champion riders Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd dominated last Sunday’s rearranged Galway Blazer fixture at Dartfield by partnering a treble and double respectively.
The only race to elude either of the pair on the six-race card was the closing Western Eco & Electrical Systems Ltd five-year-old and upwards adjacent maiden as the Michael Hallinan-handled/owned He’s Fresh Tornado (8/1 - 16/1) claimed the spoils in determined fashion. Moving through to lead rounding the home bend under the in-form Stephen Connor, the Sayarshan gelding showed a willing attitude after the final fence to hold off the persistent challenge of fellow outsider The Real Balotelli by three-parts of a length.
Enniscrone Co. Sligo trainer Hallinan, who enjoys an enviable strike-rate with his small-string, declared of his recent Belclare-third: “The horse really liked that good ground today. Stephen is a good young lad and he knows the horse well. We’ll have a look at a winners’ race for him next or possibly even a hunter’s chase on the track.”
EASY WINNER
Regional-champion rider O’Connor will struggle to partner many easier winners during his career than Valco De Touzaine (1/4 - 2/7F) in the Galway Races Committee open-lightweight. Setting out his attentions up front from flag fall aboard the Pat Doyle-trained grey, the pair had all rivals in trouble heading out on the final circuit, ultimately returning a distance clear of Five O Clock Tea at the line.
“That was very straightforward. He really enjoys that bit of nice ground and Derek was very happy with him today. We’ll aim him at the hunters chase in Killarney next and we’ll probably leave it at that then for the season,” commented Doyle of the Roger O’Byrne-owned eight-year-old who also won at Stradbally a fortnight previously.
Tubber-born O’Connor had earlier similarly adopted front-running tactics as The Lion Dancer (5/2 - 5/1) completed a memorable twenty-four hours for Co. Wexford-trainer John Paul Brennan with victory in the Tattersalls Ireland & Leah Haggarty Clark MH five-year-old geldings maiden.
A creditable fifth at Oldcastle on his most recent outing, the Let The Lion Roar-gelding produced an exhibition of jumping on his way to a cosy five-length success over newcomer Fresh New Dawn.
Monasootha-based Brennan, who saddled Need To Know to victory in a Cross Country Chase at Punchestown the previous afternoon, stated of the Maria Brennan-owned bay: “This is a fine big scopey horse that’s still a bit weak. He’s coming to himself all the time though. That’s Derek’s first winner for me and he gave him a super ride. The horse will be sold now I’d imagine.”
O’Connor then once again teamed up with his brother Paurick to good effect as Sliabh Mhuire Lass (5/2 - 3/1F) claimed a hugely competitive edition of the ITBA five-year-old and upwards mares maiden. A fine second at Loughbrickland at the beginning of the month, the daughter of Grandera assumed a lead she would never relinquish early on the second circuit before eventually running out a ready six-length victor over Queen Matilda.
“This is a lovely mare. She had a cracking run last time out and we were very happy with her coming here today. I’d imagine she’ll be seen next in a winners’ race,” disclosed the winning handler, whose chesnut sports the silks of The Three Dudes syndicate, which includes Mike and Tomás Brennan.
CHAMPION AMATEUR
Having been crowned champion amateur on the track the previous evening, Jamie Codd wasted little time getting off the mark for this meeting as he claimed the opening Goffs UK Spring Sale four-year-old maiden aboard the impressive Maria Byrne-owned Moonshine Bay (2/1JF). Continuing the remarkable run of handler Denis Murphy, the Milan-youngster was always nicely placed behind the leading Clondaw Foxtrot and once hitting the front on leaving the back straight was never unduly troubled to dismiss debutant Mellow Ben by eight lengths.
“Fair play to Jamie who minded this fellow first time out at Courtown and made sure he didn’t have a hard race. He’s a lovely well-bred horse that’s always showed us loads at home. He did everything easily today and will be sold now,” reflected Murphy.
Codd later combined with his older brother Willie to conclude his double as recent Stradbally winner Special Prep (Evs - 5/4F) obliged in the manner expected in the nine-runner Cawleys Pub winners-of-two. Taking up the running when the front-running Anthem Royale blundered at the fifth from home, the winning son of Brian Boru soon powered clear with Well Bill, the only opponent able to offer any semblance of resistance, 15 lengths adrift at the post.
“This fellow really rattles off good ground; Jamie said it was even a bit dead for him today. He’ll probably go for a summer track campaign but will take in another winners’ race first. I’m delighted for his owner who is really passionate about his racing,” observed victorious handler Codd, whose five-year-old carries the colours of UK-based owner Eric Elliott.
The Three Dudes thrilling victory
THERE were jubilant scenes in the winners’ enclosure following the maiden victory of Sliabh Mhuire Lass in the 12-runner mares maiden.
Among those leading the celebrations were father and son Mike and Tomás Brennan from Co Roscommon, who form part of the winning The Three Dudes syndicate.
“That’s our first ever winner and it’s a fantastic feeling. We were hopeful coming here today after her last run and thankfully it’s worked out,” said Brennan Snr.
“You’ll never go too far wrong with Derek (O’Connor) onboard and his brother Paurick has done a great job training the mare,” concluded Brennan.
The hard-working members of the Galway Blazers committee were quick to mark the recent outstanding achievements of both Jamie Codd and Derek O’Connor inside the rails by presenting both riders with a bottle of champagne each following the running of the fourth race.