Declan Queally is synonymous with training winners on the Dungarvan card, but this year, his success came at Sunday’s other fixture in Nenagh, as the Westerford native’s decision to venture to the North Tipperary point-to-point was well rewarded.
Allannahs Gold kicked off Queally’s double when landing the Carey Glass winner of one in good style. Derek O’Connor made all aboard the son of Golden Tornado, who kept on strongly up the hill to deny market principle Senators Glory and Cloudy Day in a tight finish.
‘We will find a winners of two for him next. He had a little set back over Christmas and I think he will improve again’, remarked Queally afterwards of the seven-year-old who was running in the colours of Eileen O’Mahoney.
Queally didn’t have to wait long to register his second winner of the afternoon when winning the following race, the Connolly’s Redmills Ladies Open Lightweight with Minella For Value.
The 12-year-old justified favouritism when running out a convincing winner in the hands of reigning champion lady rider Liz Lalor, the pair returning four lengths in advance of the seven-time winner B L Swagger. A delighted Queally stated afterwards:
‘Liz was brilliant on him, she gave him a very positive and forceful ride and that is just the way to ride him. We will campaign him for the lesser opens.’
Aiden Fitzgerald continued his rich vein of form when Smiths Cross took the Tattersalls Ireland six-year-old geldings maiden in a convincing manner. The son of Westerner had shown plenty of promise in the past, including when chasing home recent impressive Sedgefield bumper winner, Windsor Avenue, on his debut at Loughbrickland, and he put that experience to good use when running out a five length winner in the hands of Richie Deegan.
The winning Carlow-based handler stated afterwards; ‘He will go the sales now, we have had a few enquiries about him especially with the form of his Loughbrickland maiden working out so well. He jumps brilliantly and he really enjoys the soft ground. We got him from the Tattersalls Ireland August sale for €13,000.’
The winning Carlow-based handler stated afterwards; ‘He will go the sales now, we have had a few enquiries about him especially with the form of his Loughbrickland maiden working out so well. He jumps brilliantly and he really enjoys the soft ground. We got him from the Tattersalls Ireland August sale for €13,000.’
Tiernan Power Roche was seen to good effect in the LiamBuckleyCarSales.com five-year-old geldings aboard Ask Dillon, with the pair running out the six length winners of a race which produced the now dual hurdle winner Beyond The Law 12 months earlier.
Roche timed his run with perfection when closing in on the leaders approaching the straight, before the son of Ask picked up well to lead at the last. The Benny Berry-owned gelding was last seen in April when finishing seventh behind Leopardstown bumper runner-up, The Holy One, at Broughshane.
Johnny Berry, who was representing winning handler, Shirley Berry reported; ‘Today’s conditions were absolutely ideal. He really enjoys the soft ground. He is a fine big sort that just needed a bit of time as he is at least 16.2 hands. He will go to the sales next.’
It was a day to remember for 18-year-old Jack Hogan who registered his first career win aboard Lady Writer in the Local Trainers five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden. Sending the five-year-old to the front after the second last, Hogan was seen to good effect in the closing stages to see off the challenge of Barry O’Neill aboard market principle Youngoconnor.
The Denis Hogan handled gelding is owned by Give It A Try Syndicate which is made up of five members, Phonsie King, Conor Dunne, Tom Kavanagh, Oliver Caulfield and Gary Lyons.
‘They may have James Bowen over in England but we have Jack Hogan here in Ireland!’ exclaimed a jubilant winning owner King, who also added; ‘Jack was brilliant on her, he gave her a brilliant ride. I am not sure what the plans are next, we will have to discuss with Denis.’
Terence Leonard and Michael O’Sullivan combined to take the concluding Millerect Ltd seven-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders with Ajijic. The son of Bach gained an overdue success having finished runner-up on his last four starts.
O’Sullivan made all aboard the Gerard Crosse-owned gelding, and the pair kept on strongly for a two length victory over Coach Road and Luke Murphy. Crosse who is a doctor from Rathkeale also bred the nine-year-old.
‘Well that was overdue! He has actually finished second on five occasions for me. It was great to give Gerry a winner also, it’s his first winner in a long time,’ reported the winning handler who identified the Ladies Cup at Punchestown later in the spring as his long-term target.
