THE best performance was left to last at Wexford last Saturday as Deor gained an overdue win in some style at the south-east track.
The 13th attempt proved lucky for John Kiely’s charge as he powered clear in the closing stages to win the concluding Owenavarragh (QR) Maiden. Nina Carberry gave the 11/4 shot a confident ride as she cruised clear two furlongs out and asked him to lengthen in the closing stages for a 10-length victory over 11/10 favourite Rock The World.
The winner is owned by RTÉ racing presenter Brian Gleeson and Kiely said afterwards: “At last. We thought we had a right horse the first day he ran but things just went wrong.
“His best run was at Galway. He’s always shown ability. We’ll stay as we are at the minute and he’ll probably go over hurdles later. He’s a very versatile horse and should give us a good bit of fun. The owner has been good and patient all along.”
Another horse gaining a deserved success earlier on the card was Zilbiyr, who opened his account in the Wexford Median Auction Maiden. Gary Halpin produced the 5/1 shot with a strong run inside the final furlong to get the better of Monocle by three-parts of a length.
“He got there in the end!” said trainer John Feane of the Ivan Holloway-owned colt. “The first day he was second he met a good one of (Jessica) Harrington’s and against the (Aidan) O’Brien horse we rode him all wrong.
“The last day they sprinted and that didn’t suit him as he wants a good gallop. He was on his head the whole way today but stuck at it. I’m glad he’s won and he’ll be okay with a pair of blinkers. He was very leery there and pricked his ears the whole way up the straight. He also jumped the road.
“He’ll be better with a good gallop on a better track and a pair of blinds will also bring about improvement.”
Kevin Manning timed his run to perfection in the opening Hen And Stag Median Auction Fillies Maiden on board 9/4 shot Fiuntach. Jim Bolger’s daughter of Intense Focus was produced inside the final furlong to get the better of Evening Hush by a neck.
“Kevin said she travelled on and off the bridle so he didn’t know if the blinkers made a difference or not,” said assistant Ger Flynn.
“He said she stayed really well and will get further. The horses have been running well but just hitting the crossbar a bit.”
Eddystone Rock was sent off 7/4 favourite for the www.wexfordraces.ie Maiden and duly did the business in good style. Connor King produced his mount inside the final furlong and Johnny Murtagh’s charge was soon on top to record a two and a quarter length win.
“He deserved that – he’s a nice horse,” said King. “There should be plenty more to come from him during the year.”
siblings
Donnacha O’Brien shined on Credit The Giver as he teamed up with brother Joseph in the Phelim Byrne´s Seasuir At Wexford Handicap. The 2/1 favourite was settled in rear before coming with a storming run inside the final furlong to get up close home for a three-parts of a length victory over Palavicini Run.
“The rain was probably a help to him. We weren’t sure about stepping him up in trip and Donnacha took his time on him,” said Joseph O’Brien.
He continued: “Obviously he got the trip and he’ll probably get a mile-and-a-quarter. He’s gone up 10lb and just won so hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on him. He has improved since last season and we always thought that when he got a little ease in the ground there was a little bit more improvement. He might jump a hurdle in time.”
Another who could go over jumps is Whats The Plot after his victory in the Campile Apprentice Handicap. The Arthur Moore-trained 9/4 favourite battled it out with Bridle Path in the closing stages and gained the advantage close home for a neck success.
“He’s tough – a cracking fun horse,” said the trainer’s son J.D. Moore. “He’ll probably go hurdling later in the summer.”
Denis Hogan is hoping it’s onwards and upwards after the victory of Masonbrook Lady in the Black Point Handicap. The Canford Cliffs filly had endured a luckless run on her last outing at Limerick but gained compensation with a game effort.
The 9/4 favourite disputed from a furlong out, under Seamie Heffernan, and got the better of the gambled reserve Aa Bee See (7/1 into 11/4 on course) by half a length close home.
“She deserved that as the last day in Limerick she had no luck and had a bad run around,” said Hogan. “Seamie was good on her today. She’s a beautifully bred filly as she’s by Canford Cliffs out of a Galileo mare. We picked her up at the Goresbridge breeze-up and she took time to come to herself.”
He continued: “Hopefully she can go on from this. It might not have been the strongest race but in saying that when the reserve got in and there was a few quid for him I was worried. That’s probably as soft as she’d like it. She’s a good tough staying filly.
“Hopefully the horses are improving. That’s my first winner in a while and I had one or two horses coughing. When they are off peak it is hard work for everyone.
“This is great for connections also. They are famous colours of Martin Burkes and of course won a Grand National a few years back with Bobbyjo,” concluded Hogan.
Acting stewards
W. Halley, P. Coveney, D. Brophy, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
ZILBIYR (J. Feane): Was probably value for more than his winning margin and should be capable of picking up a handicap before long.