ABBEYFEALE apprentice Paddy Hartnett rode the first winner of his career at Bellewstown on Thursday night and he had just 24 hours to wait for his second success, winning the Rose of Tralee Apprentice Handicap on John Geoghegan’s Massa Lubrense at the Curragh last Friday week.

Sent off a 20/1 shot, the five-year-old gelding was given a patient ride by Hartnett who settled him towards the rear early in the seven-furlong contest. He made his move inside the two-furlong marker and took the lead with just over 100 yards to go, staying on well for a two and a quarter-length win over Cyrus Dallin with Jered Maddox another half a length back in third.

Geoghegan, who also bred and owns the winner, felt confident after the performance of Current Option in the preceding Tote Irish Cambridgeshire.

“I think he deserves that win, he has been running well and knocking on the door. He was only a head behind that horse of Ado McGuinness’s who was second in the Cambridgeshire so I was hopeful of a good run today.

“Paddy rides well and that’s two wins in two days, he can’t complain. He rang me up about six months ago looking for a ride, I didn’t have anything for him at the time but I kept him in mind for when I did.

“The horse should go on from here and seven furlongs is probably even on the short side. He could go to Listowel if the ground stays dry as he goes on any ground except the extremes.”

Favourite

Natalia Lupini’s Blairmayne went off the the 6/1 favourite in the TRM Stride Handicap over six furlongs despite lathering up before the race. In the colours of the Raintree Racing Partnership, and with Shane Foley seeking a double, the winner came with a strong run to challenge well inside the last and just get his nose in front of previous leader Ducky Mallon, with another head back to the strongly-finishing Miss Jabeam.

O’Connor threads through the gap to win on Shamad

DEREK O’Connor is no stranger to glory on the biggest stages and he used all of his nous and skill to guide Shamad to victory in the concluding Paddy Power Amateur Riders’ Derby for Peter Fahey.

The five-year-old son of Shamardal was coaxed around the inside of the mile and half track by O’Connor who then threaded him through a gap with a furlong to go. Victory was assured by a length and a half, from the 3/1 favourite Moktamel, who was half a length ahead of Ultra Pride in third.

“I am delighted with him, everything went smoothly the whole way through. His last couple of runs were good and I think the horse that won the last race (Massa Lubrense) was behind him when he won at Gowran so the form of his last few runs has been working out,” commented a thrilled Fahey.

“I am delighted for Fergal O’Neill (Direct Bloodstock, owner) who has a lot of horses in with us now and for Lynn who rides him out every day and does a great job with him. We might find something for him at Listowel. Derek gave him a great ride and it’s brilliant for him as he is involved with Fergal, he breaks a lot of the horses for him, as does James O’Haire who had this horse and schooled him over hurdles for us.”

Stewards’ running and riding enquiries

THE stewards interviewed Richie Deegan, rider of second-placed Moktamel behind Shamad, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stage of this race and having considered his record, they cautioned him on this occasion.

After the TRM Stride Handicap, won by Blairmayne, trainer Michael Halford, reported to the stewards’ secretaries that his charge Arcanears was struck into in running about three furlongs from the finish.

Also in this race, the stewards interviewed Denise Foster, trainer of Sun Sign, concerning the late arrival to the start of her charge, causing a delay to the off time of this race. The trainer apologised for the inconvenience caused and the stewards noted the explanation offered.

Twenty Minutes was found to be lame after being withdrawn at the start of the TRM Stride Handicap.