Moig South played host to the second divide of the season, as 17 declaration for the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden necessitated two divisions, and it produced some impressive displays.
Division one went the way of the strong-travelling Lou Trek, who continued the fantastic run of form that handler Mick Goff and rider Shane Fitzgerald are enjoying at present.
Front-running tactics were once again successfully employed by the pair and the son of Linda’s Lad made all before pulling clear in the closing stages to win eased down, returning six lengths clear of Hurricane Harvey.
The winning handler, who was training the exciting recruit for his school friend Billy Murray, clearly holds the four-year-old in high esteem, as he said: “A jet is the only way you could describe this horse! He’ll be sold now.”
The second division of the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old geldings’ maiden produced further impressive displays topped off by a thrilling finish.
Picanha came out on top in a close battle with Defutureisbright, with the latter losing little in his short-head defeat.
Saddled by former rider Andew Latta, the winning son of Malinas that was a €24,000 Derby sale graduate was making his debut at the Limerick course.
Their charge pulled out all the stops in the dying strides to defeat Ellen Doyle’s promising newcomer, with the pair, who had raced up with the pace throughout, pulling a distance clear of their other rivals.
Chris O’Donovan got off the mark for the season in the Hallinans Bar Askeaton & Dovecote Restaurant Adare five-year-old mares’ maiden aboard the Damian Murphy-trained Getariver.
Always to the fore of proceedings, the debutant hit the front on the run to the last, before staying on strongly to defeat Direct Image by three lengths.
“That was lovely as she’s a mare we have always liked and she is a homebred,” said the handlers father Michael, who owns the daughter of Getaway.
Sam Curling and multiple champion rider Derek O’Connor combined with Jamesbrook to land the Dore Pumps & Irrigation Systems five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Sporting the colours of Michael O’Sullivan, the winning son of Milan was getting off the mark at the third time of asking, having previously raced twice for Cork handler Robert Tyner last spring.
Ridden in mid division, the five-year-old made relentless progress inside the final mile before keeping on well to comfortably see off the late surge of Myrons by six lengths.
“This is a lovely staying horse and we might go for a winners’ race next,” said the winning handler.
The opening Brian Collins Bookmaker Askeaton four-year-old mares’ maiden went the way of the Wexford-trained Costly Diamond in the hands of Tiernan Power Roche.
A daughter of Mahler, Ashleigh Murphy’s mare was appearing for just the second time, and showed the clear benefit for her Dromahane debut, where she had pulled-up in the spring.
Roche made his intentions clear from flag fall and the chestnut mare made every post a winning one, staying on well to win by over two lengths from the placed Subtle Quest.
Winning owner Michael Murphy, husband of the winning handler said: “Our horses are running well, so I am delighted with that and she will head to the sales now.”
Drama ensued in the ITM Ladies Open with two of the four runners failing to make it as far as the first fence.
Mart Lane slipped up on the first bend and brought down Different Spot, cutting the field in half to produce a match race between recent Tinahely winner Gabreilliemee and the classy track recruit Kruzhlinin, who was understandably sent off as a short-priced favourite.
The latter came through this first test in Irish point-to-points with considerable ease, recording a seven-length success in the hands of Lisa O’Neill.
An eight-time winner under rules, the 11-year-old is owned by Camilla Sharples who is a travelling head lass for winning handler Gordon Elliott and she said: “I was very lucky to be given the horse by Mr and Mrs Rooney after he was retired and we will stick to opens now.”
The final contest of the day saw Coach Road enjoy a much-deserved success when claiming the Josh Sheahan & Antony Kenny older geldings’ maiden.
Daryl Deacon’s ten-year-old was getting off the mark at the 21st time of asking however he was certainly not winning out of turn following a number of placed finishes.
Ridden by Jamie Codd, the son of Sendawar hit the front at the penultimate fences in this four-runner contest, and carrying the colours of owner/breeder William Deacon, the consistent sort came home four lengths in front of Peter the Butler.
Connections reported that the bay gelding will now go for a winners’ race now.
