By Claire Barry
CONVERGANCE struck gold for trainer Ger Lyons and his Naul, Co Dublin patron Vincent Gaul in the Listed Coolmore Canford Cliffs Stakes at Tipperary last Friday and looks to be a colt of real potential.
Aidan O’Brien’s representative East India, who was already being talked about as a Derby contender, headed the betting for this seven and a half furlong contest but he was being niggled along before the turn-in and was blown out of sight by Colin Keane’s mount who set for home a furlong and a half down.
Convergance answered the call in willing fashion to win going away by a five-length margin from East India and the successful trainer’s brother and assistant Shane made no secret of the high regard in which the 7/2 chance is held at Glenburnie Stables.
He said: “He’s a tough, tough horse and, with all the talk about East India I thought Aidan’s horse would have to be a Derby horse to beat our lad today. We’re really looking forward to him for next year - he’s a proper horse and he’ll only get better when he steps up in trip. We’re really excited about him and his attitude at home is second to none. He’s not ground dependent and is just a true professional.”
English trainers have an excellent strike rate in the other listed race on the card, the five-furlong Kilfrush Stud Abergwaun Stakes and Sir Maximilian, from the Tim Pitt yard, continued that trend when sweeping through on the near side under Stevie Donohoe to wear down Abstraction by three-quarters of a length.
The favourite Russian Soul, bidding to win the race for the second year in succession, was under pressure from some way out and had to settle for third place.
Sporting the silks of his absent owner Oliver Curtis from Cheshire, last month’s Rockingham Stakes hero has been earning his keep and also took in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood.
Pitt said: “He’s a very good horse. We’re getting to know him a lot better now and have worked out that five furlongs is his trip. The ground (officially good to firm) has dried out since lunchtime and that’s as quick as he wants it but he did it the hard way.
“If the Stewards Cup hadn’t been worth what it was he wouldn’t have run in it. To me his run here was better than when he won the Rockingham although he had to grind it out today. I’ve won more prize money in Ireland in two races than I have in the last 10 years and he’ll come back for the Flying Five, followed by the Abbaye. The stiffer incline of the Curragh will suit him.”
Racing opened with success for the Aidan O’Brien-trained 5/4 favourite Simply A Star who led or disputed throughout in the hands of Seamus Heffernan to capture the five-furlong McGrath Oil Maiden.
The well-bred Kyllachy juvenile warmed to her task inside the distance and had three lengths to spare over Sassy But Classy at the finish.
Simply A Star is jointly owned by Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and was breaking her duck at the sixth attempt. O’Brien observed: “She disappointed us the last day but had a good run before that. She’s stakes-placed now and blacktype will be important to her because she’s a well-bred filly.”
The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden, which went to Kevin Manning’s mount Fields Of May (9/4) by a head from a bad draw, looks to be a race that will throw up quite a few winners, notably the runner-up Back On Top and fourth-placed Tomorrow Morning, both of whom came from a long way off the pace.
Jim Bolger, sending out his third two-year-old winner of the week, has care of the daughter of Intense Focus for his wife Jackie and Mrs June Judd.
The trainer’s travelling head lad Ger Flynn reported: “Kevin said he was travelling so well he just put the race to bed a furlong and a half out and she was just idling going to the line.
“She picked up again when the second and third came to her and is a nice filly. It looked a good race on paper - Kevin said it rode like a good race and everything suited her today.”
In-form trainer Eddie Lynam supplied the winner of the Connolly’s Red Mill Handicap in the 15/8 favourite Lady Mega who was kept up to her work by apprentice Robbie Downey to collect by one and a half lengths from In Salutem.
The Kodiac filly races in the colours of the Theydontknow Syndicate, whose six members are from Tipperary, Cork and Clare. Sean Dunne put the syndicate together and related: “We bought her at the Breeze-Up Sales in Goresbridge last year and sent her to Eddie because we’re very fond of him.
“The syndicate gets its name from the fact that we didn’t tell our wives! This is our local track, we bought her for fun and we’re having great fun.”
Fellow 19-year-old apprentice Philip Donovan was also seen to good effect with his handling of the Tracy Collins-trained Captains Dilemma in the Tipperaryraces.ie Apprentice 47-65 Handicap.
Herb Stanley’s 25/1 shot was soon at the head of affairs and was never headed in holding the late surge of Art Scene by three-quarters of a length.
Collins was full of praise for the rider, commenting: “He gave him a ‘peach’ because he’s a difficult ride and Philip showed great horsemanship in getting him down to the start nice and quietly and keeping him away from other horses.
“He had a good campaign in Dundalk but that’s the first time he’s shown any form on grass for me and wants very fast ground. He’ll go for something similar.”
Mooncoin trainer Eoin Doyle saddled Mojito Royale to take Akinspirit’s scalp the Follow Tipperary Races On Facebook Ladies Handicap.
Owned by Paul Holden from Mullinavat, the 10-year-old was winning the ninth race of his career and was given a good strong drive by Sarah O’Brien to get home by half a length for the rider’s first success for an outside stable. Market leader Lilly The Lioness had to settle for fourth place.
Doyle acknowledged: “He’s been a great servant and ran a blinder in Galway. I might look for another flat race for him on a level track.”
Whip ban: Dudes And Diamonds’ jockey Adrian O’Shea picked up a one-day whip ban for excessive frequency in the fourth race.
Post race: Tomorrow Morning, the subject of a running and riding enquiry in the fifth race was reported to be lame on her near fore post-race by the Turf Club veterinary officer. The filly’s trainer Ted Walsh reported that she showed signs of being in season post-race.