THE admirable Ken Condon inmate Strait Of Zanzibar made it 10 wins from 77 career outings in the 60-90 rated mile, which completed a double for Shane Foley.
Now in his sixth season, the Raymond Doyle-owned seven-year-old continues to show a remarkable zest for racing after a career whose first success came in a Tipperary listed race back in August 2011.
As he chased his first win on turf for almost two years, Strait Of Zanzibar was making his seventh appearance of a season that began with a Dundalk success in March.
The 7/1 chance showed a fine attitude as he battled hard from three furlongs out to find a way past last year’s winner Hurricane Twister. Strait Of Zanzibar eventually held a narrow lead inside the distance and he held on well to deny the oncoming Plough Boy by a head.
“He’s been a great servant and runs day in day out. When things go his way he does it and when they don’t, he minds himself. He’s a character,” said Foley. “Ken has done a great job on him and has kept him on the go, and he’s a good lead horse in the mornings too. He never misses a beat.”
Foley also struck on Suvenna (9/2) who followed up last month’s Dundalk maiden triumph in the George Fitzmaurice Handicap over seven furlongs. The 75-rated joint top-weight cut out a brisk tempo and she maintained the gallop in good style in the straight.
With over a furlong to run Suvenna brushed aside the effort of Shepherds Crook to go clear and Michael Halford’s charge finished three and a half lengths ahead of Zebgrey. The daughter of Arcano carries the colours of Antoinette Kavanagh.
“She has a bit of early pace so we felt the track would suit her. She jumped and travelled and stayed going well,” reflected Foley. “We thought a lot of her last year and we were surprised that it took her until the last day to win.”
Michael Halford brought up a double of his own as Asbury Boss (4/1) claimed the Bryan MacMahon (Q.R.) Race under Katie Walsh.
The thorough stayer and former Irish Cesarewitch fourth was looking for his first win since he captured a maiden here in September 2014 and this mile and three-quarters trip suited him well.
As is his wont, the Nicky Hartery-owned and bred five-year-old was under pressure some way from home but he kept responding. He wore down the odds-on Wakea early in the last furlong before then holding the late charge of Weather Watch.
“He loved the ground and stays well. He responded every time I asked him to,” reflected the winning rider.
Wayne Lordan also registered two victories and the second of these came on Tommy Stack’s Just Joan in the Croom House Stud EBF Fillies Maiden.
A good second at Naas last month saw the Anne Gaffney-owned daughter of Pour Moi returned the 9/10 favourite, but she was under pressure to close down the front-running High Honcho nearing the straight.
Inside the last furlong, High Honcho remained in front but Just Joan steadily got on terms and forged ahead close home.
“She wants to go further than a mile but we took a chance coming here as it looked a good opportunity. We’ll probably go hunting blacktype now. Whether that’s achievable or not we’ll find out,” remarked the trainer’s son, Fozzy.
INSEPARABLE
Lordan’s first winner was one he shared with Connor King as the former’s mount, Fox Dream, and Mr Adjudicator were inseparable at the conclusion of the seven furlongs Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.
On her first outing for two months, Fox Dream (12/1), a mere 2,000gns yearling purchase, made the running and looked to hold a decisive advantage early in the last furlong, but she was joined on the line by Mr Adjudicator (20/1).
Owned and trained by Joe Murphy, Mr Adjudicator was running for the first time since finishing eighth in a Naas maiden won by Psychedelic Funk.
Austin Leahy, who trains Fox Dream for his wife Ellen, declared: “She’s grown about an inch since she first ran and that’s why she didn’t run again until now. I love her and I love the stallion and I won’t be in any rush with her as she’s still growing.”
Of Mr Adjudicator Joe Murphy commented: “He’s a lovely horse and there’s huge improvement in him. I’ve no plan for him at the moment.”
Markhan, who was among the top lots at last year’s Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale, made short work of his rivals in the mile median auction maiden.
David Marnane’s charge was placed in maidens late last year and after contesting a couple of useful three-year-old handicaps, the Birdstone colt was sent off a well-backed 5/2 second favourite for his return to maiden company.
Markhan was travelling notably well for Colm O’Donoghue as the runners turned for home and he asserted in fine style to surge five and a half lengths clear of Laburnum Park. The winner is owned by Prince Saif Aldin Al Saud.
“The addition of a tongue tie was a big help to him. He relaxed and got into a rhythm and started to breathe properly,” reported the jockey.
“I’m not sure what sort of race it was, a lot of them were beaten a long way out, but he did it well.”
Jim Gorman’s Bush Bush (8/1), who ran a fine race to chase home Elusive In Paris at Killarney last month, registered the first success of her career in the 45-65 rated handicap over a mile.
The experienced four-year-old had several lengths to find on Lightening Stricks when that one moved on inside the last couple of furlongs but she picked up well for Kevin Manning to strike the front in the closing stages. The Andrews Syndicate-owned filly finished with a length to spare.
ACTING STEWARDS
P. McLernon, S. McDonogh, J.P. Barry, C. O’Mahony, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
PANDAGREEN (G. Cromwell): This Casamento filly ran well to be beaten less than three lengths in the two-year-old maiden. With a clear run in the straight she would have gone close to winning and she should progress well off this outing. There should be more to come from her.