MICHAEL Halford has been the trainer to follow at Dundalk for a number of years and his dominance shows no signs of stopping after the listed success of Kadra the highlight of another polytrack treble.
The Aga Khan’s homebred daughter of Holy Roman Emperor won a maiden here 12 months ago and was recording her fourth career success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Stakes. The 4/1 favourite led over a furlong out and kept on well under Pat Smullen to beat English raider Desert Haze by a length, with How High The Moon another length and a half back in third.
Halford said: “She’s very genuine and loves the surface. The step up to a mile probably helped her and it’s great to get a listed win. I’ll have to see what His Highness wants to do but she could be retired to the paddocks now that she has got her blacktype.”
First Premio kicked off the near 93/1 Halford treble in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden, wearing down the front-running favourite Massif Central inside the final furlong to score by a neck under Shane Foley.
The 4/1 chance is owned by Singapore-based Eric Koh, and Halford said: “He’d a lovely first run and did well to win from a bad draw. He loves that surface but is still a bit on the weak side.
“He’s got a lovely attitude and plenty of scope but is still just a frame. He gets the trip well and will be a nice horse next year when he strengthens up.”
Foley was also successful aboard Chestnut Fire (11/4) who came from off the pace to touch off stable-companion Rezeki by a short-head in the Book Your Christmas Party At Dundalk Handicap.
Halford, who was saddling five winners here in the space of 48 hours following a double on Wednesday, said: “He was not winning out of turn and Shane gave him a lovely ride as he just about gets the (mile) trip.
“It’s a shame they have to take each other on but they are all fit and well and the opportunities are there. I’m delighted for Paul (Rooney, owner) as he’s so patient.”
Smullen added to his big race victory when doubling up on Propriano in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
Trained by Dermot Weld for Moyglare Stud Farm, the 7/1 shot held off Power Grid by a neck.
Smullen, said: “He was a bit keen but handled the surface well. He’s in the sales.’’
Magic Bear confirmed the promise of her debut second at Navan by going one better in the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Maiden. The Kodiac filly was patiently ridden by Wayne Lordan in this six-furlong event, and the 7/4 favourite led about 150 yards out to beat Almoner by half a length.
SLADE POWER
“She’s a homebred filly and is from one of the best families that we have been involved with. Her dam is a half-sister to the dam of Slade Power,” said winning trainer Eddie Lynam before adding, “She’s owned by Trevor Dalzell, who has been with me since the year dot, and hopefully she will be a fun little sprint handicapper next year. She’s finished now for this year.”
Tony Mullins provided his son Anthony with a first winner when Veil Of Stars, claimed out of Dick Brabazon’s yard for €10,000 earlier in the month, followed up in division one of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Handicap.
Danny Sheehy’s claim was reduced to 7lb after partnering his third winner aboard the 10/1 chance, who pulled her way to the front before halfway before going on to beat Shabra Emperor by two and a half lengths. “I don’t know much about her yet but she is a little bit hot. She will have to run at the next level now as she will be above 65. If we can cool her down, she’s well capable of doing it,” said the winning trainer.
Carrigeen Prince opened his account in division two, leading inside the final furlong under Donagh O’Connor to beat Voyageofdiscovery by a length. “He’s a bit quirky and I didn’t think he would handle the all-weather as he goes well on soft. He should jump a hurdle with the size of him,” said trainer Garvan Donnelly before adding, “I’m delighted for the lads (The Prince Partnership) who include the breeder Frank Prendergast, my father Malachy and my brother Donnacha.”
Burning Brightly stepped up considerably on his four previous outings to cause a 25/1 shock in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Nursery Handicap.
Trained by John Murphy for his wife Carolan, the son of Sir Prancealot came from off the pace under Colin Keane and got up close home to beat Norman Wells by half a length. “I rode him here before over a shorter trip. The step up in trip suited and he handles that surface well. He travelled well and picked up nicely when I asked him,” said Keane.
Acting Stewards
L. McFerran, R. Dore, R. McSharry, T. L. Crawford, H. Hynes.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
TIME DEE (P. D. Deegan) Never threatened after a slow start on his debut but came home strongly inside the final furlong. Sure to benefit from this experience and bred to appreciate further in time.
Halpin suspended
GARY Halpin was given a two-day suspension for careless riding on Norman Wells in the nursery.