THERE was competitive fare on offer right throughout the seven-race card, at the Stonehall Harriers autumn fixture at Moig South.
The opening Brian Collins Bookmaker four-year-old maiden saw absent Duncormick, Co Wexford-handler, Ashleigh Murphy record her first success of the season courtesy of Costly Diamond (6-4/1).
Making all under Tiernan Roche, the daughter of Mahler had many of her rivals trailing in her wake early on the final circuit, before recording a two-and-a-half-length triumph over Subtle Quest.
The chesnut is owned by the winning handler’s husband Michael, who remarked: “All our horses were under a cloud when she made her debut. She had done some lovely work in the spring prior to that so we were very hopeful coming here today. Tiernan gave her a smashing ride and is a good young rider.”
Fellow Wexford-trainer Andrew Latta also saddled his first winner of the season as the Jimmy O’Rourke-partnered Picanha (6-2/1) secured a determined victory in the latter split of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old maiden.
Jointly-owned by leading National Hunt jockey Robert Power, the imposing Malinas-sired gelding was making his debut and was forced to dig deep in the closing stages, scoring by a short-head following a protracted duel with runner-up Defuture Is Bright.
“We thought a lot of this lad coming here. He has been working seriously well at home. He’s a lovely jumper and showed that today, he’ll be sold now hopefully,” observed Latta.
On a trying afternoon for the six bookmakers present, the earlier division had seen the impressive Lou Trek (3-5/4 favourite) maintain handler Mick Goff’s fine start to the season.
Dominating up front throughout in the hands of Shane Fitzgerald, the Billy Murray-owned debutant readily asserted on the stiff climb to the winning post, ultimately returning six lengths clear of Hurricane Harvey.
“We feel this fellow is an exceptionally good horse. He had shown us plenty in a couple of schooling bumpers,” outlined Goff, who later indicated that the son of Linda’s Lad will likely be sold now.
The following Hallinans Bar Askeaton & Dovecote Restaurant Adare five-year-old mares’ maiden also went the way of a newcomer as the Damian Murphy-trained Getariver (5/2-7/2) obliged in the silks of the winning handler’s father Michael.
Given the office by the capable Chris O’Donovan rounding the final bend, the daughter of Getaway only needed to be kept up to her work after the final fence to repel the staying-on Direct Image by three-lengths.
“We have been waiting for a bit of decent ground for this mare for a while now, thankfully our patience was rewarded! She’s a lovely mare and we’ll enjoy today before we make any future plans for her,” outlined the successful handler.
Direct Image’s rider Derek O’Connor later enjoyed better fortune as he teamed up with long-standing ally Sam Curling to claim the PJ Dore Pumps & Irrigation Systems five-year-old geldings’ maiden with Jamesbrook (3-5/2 favourite).
Taking closer order from the halfway point, the Milan-gelding quickly eroded the lead of the front-running Twasn’t The Plan on the final circuit before showing strong reserves of stamina to account for Myrons by six-lengths.
“This horse only came to me recently from Robert Tyner, who had all the hard work done with him. He’s a lovely horse and he’s one that will make a smashing staying chaser in time,” commented Curling of his Michael O’Sullivan-owned inmate.
Kruzhlinin (2/5-1/2 favourite) made a smooth transition to the open-lightweight division as he easily justified favouritism in the ITM Ladies Open.
In a race where half of the four participants parted company with their riders rounding the first bend, the Lisa O’Neill-ridden 11-year-old had little difficulty in dispensing of Gabrielleamee by seven lengths.
The chesnut, is now under the care of Gordon Elliott and carries the colours of Camilla Sharples, who disclosed: “I was fortunate to be given the horse by Mr and Mrs Paul Rooney when he was retired. The plan was to retrain him for racehorse to riding classes but he was having none of that! He will go for another open in a few weeks.”
The similarly short-priced Coach Road (1/4-2/5 favourite) gained a deserved triumph in the concluding Josh Sheahan & Antony Kenny six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden for the Deacon family of Clonroche, Co Wexford.
Jamie Codd’s mount ultimately found most at the business end to fend off Peter The Butler by four-lengths.
The winning son of Sendawar is owned/bred by William Deacon and was saddled to victory by his son Daryl. The latter reflected: “We’re thrilled to win with this lad. Jamie felt he’ll have gotten a bit of confidence from today. Now that he’s got his head in front we’ll have a look at a winners’ race for him next.”
HORSE TO FOLLOW
DIRECT IMAGE (R Tyner): This daughter of Shantou made a very pleasing debut when runner-up in the mares’ maiden. She made notable late headway and a similar event appears well within her capabilities.
Winning beauty
FOLLOWING the running of the ladies’ open, Catriona O’Connor, of O’Connors Pharmacy Bruff, provided winning rider Lisa O’Neill with a very generous hamper containing numerous beauty products, wine, chocolates and earrings.
Plenty of chat
THE Stonehall Harriers provided a complimentary hospitality tent to patrons which was very well-supported throughout the afternoon. Volunteers Helen O’Connell and Carol O’Kane provided young and old with hot and cold drinks, a range of baked goods, sweet treats and plenty of chat!
This was adjacent to a bar facility which was run by local publican Josh Sheahan of the Top Of The Town Bar, Askeaton.
Most wanted
SHORTLY after her triumph in the younger mares’ maiden, Michael Murphy outlined the roundabout way in which he came to own Costly Diamond.
“I saw her early on as a foal. She was later led out unsold at the foal sales. I recommended her to a guy that works for us and he bought her privately.
He then failed to sell her as a store at Goffs UK and I bought her privately shortly after off him. I was the only one that ever wanted her!” he mused.