Report | Quakerstown 21st April 2019

There was a bumper crowd in attendance at Quakerstown as expected with the huge range of attractions on offer to patrons.

Peter Flood secured his third success of the day in the Sullivans Hotel, Finnertys Bar and Kerry Co-Op five-year-old geldings’ maiden having enjoyed a double at Oldcastle. Kid Commando having previously finished fifth at Monksgrange, took command of the race three from home before returning a comprehensive winner under the guidance of Luke Murphy.

A son of Robin Des Champs the gelding saw off the Pat Doyle-trained Jack Thunder by 10 lengths at the line.
The winner is owned by the Pioneer Racing Partnership who have previously owned the likes of Beyond Redemption and Brief Ambition.

“This horse ran well the last day, he just missed the third last and Jamie (Codd) looked after him which left him right for today.  He’s a lovely page and we were delighted to have Luke (Murphy) on board. He’ll be sold now,” said the winning handler.

Derek O'Connor got off the mark in the ITBA, The Turkey Trotters, Pier Head Bar and Restaurant five-and-six-year-old mares' maiden aboard Southern Girl. The daughter of Getaway had been absent since finishing fourth at Kilfeacle in January, but went off as the market favourite here nonetheless.

Handled by Donal Hassett, the mare justified her favouritism when winning by a decisive 12 lengths. Colin Bowe's Old Dominion got the better off Move Closer in the closing stages of the race for second.  The winner is a full-sister to Jarveys Plate, who the Hassett family raced in points previously and has progressed to be an exciting novice hurdler this season for Fergal O’Brien.

The winning handler said; “We had this mare’s full-brother and we’re hoping she can go onto similar things.
We’ve liked her from day one and she’ll make a really nice mare in time and will be sold now.”

Last season's champion pointer Sydney Paget returned to winning ways in the Aengus King Racing, Howley’s Service Station, Gort Marts ladies open for handler Pat Doyle and owned Roger O’Byrne. The son of Flemensfirth was ridden prominently throughout by Susie Doyle, before battling well to secure a two-length advantage over the Sam Curling-trained Longhouse Music.

The winning rider now joins Liz Lalor and Moira McElligott at the top of the standings for the leading lady rider title with three wins apiece.

The winning handler said; “Susie was super on him, she rode the race exactly as we planned. It’s great to have him back. It’s been a tough year with him with the ground and then he got a very bad cut at Aghabullogue in January. He’s come on from his last couple of runs and was good today.”

Wexford handler Donnchadh Doyle continued his fine form when securing the Goffs Punchestown Sale four-year-old maiden with The Big Breakaway.

In the hands of Rob James the son of Getaway, who was well touted beforehand, ran out an impressive ten-length winner over the Matthew Flynn O'Connor Skylanna Breeze. A €55,000 store, the Monbeg Syndicate-owned winner is a half-brother to Ben Pauling’s five-time winner Kildisart.

The successful handler was on hand to greet his winner and said; “This is a gorgeous big horse. They went a good gallop early on but once he got there he did it lovely. He could be anything and will go to the sales now.”

Darragh McDonagh-owned Cape Robin secured the Karl King Executive Travel Ltd, Limerick Metal Recycling, Conor Engineering Ltd five-year-old-and-upwards confined maiden for handler Jimmy Mangan.  The Robin Des Champ gelding who was fourth at Ballynoe last time out, recorded a three-length defeat of the Niall Kelleher-trained Rockin Roxtown.

Hurley who was riding his sixth winner of the season here said; “This horse was good and brave at the last when I needed him to be. Jimmy (Mangan) has had this race in mind for him since he was fourth in Ballynoe and it’s worked out well.”

The O'Neill Bookmakers, P and N Casey Bookmakers, Dinny Gould Bookmaker six-year-old and upwards geldings' maiden went to Vertical Pebble for winning handler/owner Michael O'Meara.

The Vertical Speed gelding battled gamely in the hands of Stephen Connor to record a two-length victory over the Edmond Kent-trained Hellenic Fire.

The winner has been placed on five of his 13 starts to date including a fine second in the seven-year-old-and-upwards geldings’ maiden at Nenagh in February. Connections may now aim the gelding at a winners’ race in the future.