THE Moffett Engineering Ltd Median Auction Race lived up to its feature event billing at Dundalk as Sky Seven (2/1 favourite) formed part of hat-tricks for trainer Michael Halford and jockey Ronan Whelan.
It got close between a few of them near the finish, necessitating a steward’s enquiry, in a contest where less than three lengths separated all seven.
Up front in the centrepiece and the Nasir Askar-owned Sky Seven edged out Invasion Day by half a length.
Fourth-placer Lafayette Hill was making no impression when short of room close home. Major Reward (sixth) suffered in the same incident but the judge’s placings unsurprisingly remained unaltered after the enquiry.
What appeared to be a couple of mating hares caught many an eye as the runners fought it out at the business end but they had no influence on the outcome and soon fled to the infield.
“He’s a smashing horse. It had the makings of a good race and I’d say it rode like a good race too,” said Halford.
“He’s just getting stronger all the time and I’d have no worries about him going on the grass either. He’s got a great will to win.”
Luna’s Luck, sporting first-time cheekpieces, was claimed by the Rockview Racing Club to go into training with John McConnell after winning the curtain-raiser for Halford and Whelan.
Odds-on favourite Luna’s Luck (10/11) carried the colours of James Mathews to success.
Unruly at the start, Al Batal (5/1) was withdrawn. His trainer John McConnell was informed that his charge would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
PROFESSIONAL RANKS
With his 95th winner Ross Coakley joined the ranks of the fully-fledged professional jockeys after making it three on the night for Halford, aboard Miss Snossyboots (5/2 into 2/1 favourite) in the Print Express Apprentice Handicap.
Given the race he was in, Coakley wasn’t claiming his 3lb allowance on this occasion, and for HRI Chairman Nicky Hartery he got it just right from the front on Miss Snossyboots.
Itsalonglongroad did well in second but was never going to get there, and Miss Snossyboots added to the gains of stable companions Luna’s Luck and Sky Seven, with a one-length verdict.
“I’m delighted for Nicky Hartery, he’s been patient with her,” stated Halford.
“I’m delighted for Ross riding out his claim as well. He is with us a couple of days a week and he’s a great help at home to us so I’m delighted to be able to give him his last winner as a claimer.
“I have to thank the lads at home because I was in Hong Kong for a couple of days so Fabian Burke and the lads at home did a great job.”
Ger O’Neill reported that his mount, Dream Focus (7/2) who finished fourth, was crossed in the straight. Shane Crosse, jockey on Itsalonglongroad, got a three-day careless riding ban arising from the incident.
Gearoid Brouder said of Tooreen Legend (11/2), who finished second last, that his mount felt lame turning in. The horse was subsequently found to be post-race normal.
Ronan Whelan’s other victory came for owner and breeder Tom Heatrick on Annabelle Rock (11/4 into 9/4 joint favourite) in the Marshes Shopping Centre Ladies Day Sunday 14th April Handicap.
Running for the in-form Ado McGuinness-yard Annabelle Rock defeated She’s My Dream by three and a half lengths.
DOUBLE
Former champion apprentice Oisin Orr completed a double in the final couple of races.
He struck in the Anglo Printers Maiden on Dermot Weld’s newcomer Mouriyani (13/2). The Aga Khan’s American-bred got the better of Pearlman (6/4) by half a length.
Disappointing market-leader Bandiuc Eile was found to be post-race normal. Kevin Manning appeared to ease his mount close to the finish and lost fifth place.
Manning said Bandiuc Eile travelled well until the two furlong marker and suddenly got legless.
Donegal man Orr then rounded off the evening in style for Co Derry trainer Noel Kelly on Wild Shot (16s into 8s) in the Race Displays Handicap.
Cathal McGuckin’s So You Think gelding missed the break and received a reminder early, but the five-year-old was strong up the straight to upstage Latchet by two and a half lengths.
Latchet’s jockey Luke McAteer was sanctioned for using his whip with excessive frequency. He got a one-day ban.
At the 22nd time of asking Lady Godiva shed her maiden tag at odds of 33/1 for owner Martin Hughes and County Down handler Lee Smyth in the McGeoughs Bar & Restaurant Handicap.
Wayne Lordan secured first run on the former Richard Hannon and Joseph O’Brien racer, and off a 119-day break she held on from Crossingoz by half a length.
Trainer Dot Love was informed that All The Mollies would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
The 8/1 chance was withdrawn at the start and a recording of her conduct prior to this race was viewed by the stewards. They advised Love that a repeat of such behaviour may render All The Mollies liable to suspension in the future.
Elsewhere, there was an exciting conclusion to the Sevens Cabs And Coaches Rental Ltd Handicap as the now five-time course victor Lily’s Prince came out on top by a neck and the same from Silk Cravat and Kasbah.
Donagh O’Connor got Lily’s Prince (7/1) home for trainer Garvan Donnelly who said: “He’s a fierce genuine horse, there is never an ounce of bother with him and he’s as sound as a pound.
“He won this race two years ago and was second in it last year.
“Martin Sheridan (owner/breeder) is a great supporter of ours and we have another nice filly for him at home by Kodiac.”
HORSE TO FOLLOW:
AARON BOY (K. Purcell): On his first start at three and on his initial spin on the all-weather. He left his previous form well behind to finish third to Mouriyani at odds of 100/1.
ACTING STEWARDS:
R. Dore, P. Caffrey,
N.B. Wachman,
S. Keegan,
M.F. O’Donoghue