HIS behaviour before the race wouldn’t have inspired confidence but Camelback showed again that he possesses a considerable level of ability in the J.F. Dunne Insurances Since 1977 Race.
Only three went to post for this seven-furlong conditions race but this was an event high on quality as Camelback, Strike For Freedom and the odds-on Rostropovich had all won maidens last time out.
Camelback was quite fractious beforehand, he then had to be trotted all the way to the start and he was unsettled in the stalls.
However, in the race itself he made all the running for Colin Keane. In the colours of American-based owner Mark Breen, Camelback set a steady pace which meant there was no more than a length between the leading trio entering the last two furlongs.
Hard as they tried, neither Strike For Freedom nor Rostropovich could overcome the determined leader who stayed on well to score by a length. Strike For Freedom shaded the battle for second by a neck.
“His head just isn’t in the game but he obviously has an engine,” said Ger Lyons. “At home he’s very straight forward but I wasn’t happy by what I saw pre-race and that’s not the first time he’s done that. If he’s to get to the next level he can’t do that so I’ll talk to the owner over the coming days and assess what we will do next.”
O’BRIEN TREBLE
The remainder of the card belonged to Donnacha O’Brien who reeled off a treble which began with the promising juvenile Seahenge (6/1) in the six-furlong Caoga.com Irish EBF Maiden. for the Coolmore partners. This unraced son of Scat Daddy looked decidedly green in behind horses through the first half of the race but when he was switched into the clear with a furlong to run he picked up well.
At this point the Ballydoyle representative had several lengths to find but he cut down the leaders for an ultimately cosy neck victory over Yulong Warrior who was filling the runner-up spot for the third time in as many starts.
“He was very green but he kept going nicely when he got to the outside and he should improve stepping up to seven furlongs or a mile,” commented the winning rider.
Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien also struck with the hardy Music Box in the featured six-furlong Parliament Premium Finance Irish EBF Fillies Handicap. This daughter of Invincible Spirit was running for the third time within a week having contested a premier handicap at the Curragh on Derby day and the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes on Wednesday evening.
On both occasions Music Box wasn’t beaten all that far and a return to sprinting enabled her to take advantage of a notable drop in class.
Music Box, who was one of three 7/2 co-favourites for this eight-runner affair, swept aside Dandys Gold to take charge entering the last furlong.
She came home three-quarters of a length ahead of the staying-on top-weight Miss Power.
“She’s taking her racing well and it’s good to get another win with her. I’d imagine blacktype will be the goal for her,” remarked the jockey.
The Donnacha O’Brien treble concluded with Eagle Spirit who landed quite a gamble in the Irish Risk Management Centre Handicap over 10 furlongs. This M.V. Magnier-owned gelding was bidding for his first win in 13 months and was backed from 8/1 into 9/2 for his first try against older opposition.
Eagle Spirit still had plenty to do when he switched to the outer to make his bid entering the last quarter of a mile but he finished strongly to sweep by Serefeli late on and prevail by three-quarters of a length.
After starting her career with two decent placed efforts, the Willie McCreery-trained Belle Boyd (8/13) took full advantage of a good opportunity in the iBus Plc Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
The Godolphin-owned filly was much too good for her opponents in this mile contest and she led turning for home before then surging clear over the last furlong and a half. At the line Belle Boyd had six lengths to spare over Dayereh.
“She had a very good run the last day when second to Petticoat and she’s improving with experience,” declared McCreery.
“She could easily come back in trip to seven furlongs and I must credit Will Hayes who has done a lot of work with her as she was very tricky in the stalls to begin with.”
Adrian Keatley’s good run of form continued with Mo Henry who sprung a 20/1 surprise in the J.F. Dunne Insurance Bus And Coach Insurance Apprentice Handicap over six furlongs. Now a four-times winner, the five-year-old was squeezed up after jumping off but came with a tremendous charge over the last quarter of a mile. He got on top to defeat Molans Mare by two lengths.
“I’m pleased for the horse and his owners (Shevlin/Whelan Syndicate) who have kept the faith with him,” reported the trainer.
“He’s a grand horse who picks up his share of prize money and Danny gets on very well with him. I think he will be fine stepping up to seven furlongs.”
A deserved success finally came the way of Less Of That (9/4) in the J.F. Dunne Insurances 40 Year Celebration Handicap.
At Gowran Park five days previously, the Reggie Roberts-owned and bred filly lost out to Level Of Intensity but the latter’s 6lb winner’s penalty tipped the scales in favour of Less Of That.
She struck for home under David Simmonson with well over a furlong to run and held her old rival by a neck.
“She’s been second on three of her last four runs. As this was one of the last three-year-old only mile and a quarter handicaps we let her take her chance and the runner-up’s penalty tipped things in our favour,” declared Johnny Feane whose string remain in terrific heart.
ACTING STEWARDS
Ms. M. Cosgrave, Mrs J.O. Onions, A. Byrne, N. McCaffrey, P.D. Matthews
Horse To Follow
SHORE STEP (J.P. Murtagh): This seven-year-old ran quite well when dead-heating for third in the apprentice handicap. He has come down the weights this season and his turn could be soon.