Goldplated sparkles to get Doyle off the mark
A fourth career winner, and a first of the season for apprentice Ricky Doyle, the Selkirk mare outstayed Mojita and disappointing favourite Elusive Ridge in convincing style.
And George Murphy, son of the winning trainer, commented: “It was a bit of a risk running her back so soon, but it paid off.. Ricky is working very hard at home and this is his first winner of the season. We’ll probably give the filly a short break before going for a listed race — I think there’s a bit of black type in her.”
In-form trainer Andy Oliver saddled first and second in the opening two-year-old auction maiden, victory going to the Shane Foley-ridden Hard Core Debt (backed from 6.1 to 9/2), which beat 11/4 favourite Fontana Di Trevi (Chris Hayes) by three lengths.
Oliver commented: “I’m very happy with a one-two. This colt did it well and had come on well from a nice run at Leopardstown, where he needed the run. He’s still a bit green, but has a great attitude. Shane gave him a great ride. And I expect more improvement from him. But I’m not sure where we’ll go next.”
Already the winner of a bumper and a maiden hurdle on the track, Mighty Whitey recorded his third win at Sligo when making virtually all the running to win the claimer under Billy Lee..
“He likes the Sligo air,” quipped winning trainer Noel Kelly, who is based in Draperstown, Co Derry. “He needs cut in the ground and was a bit sore after his last run in Downpatrick. We thought trying him over a mile and a quarter would help him settle, because they’d be going a bit quicker.”
After an otherwise frustrating evening, Royal Ascot-bound Pat Smullen partnered the Dermot Weld-trained filly Truthwillsetufree to a narrow victory over market-rival Zalantoun in the concluding maiden. The Dalakhani filly prevailed by a head and retained the spoils in a Stewards Enquiry.
In the handicap action, two recent winners followed-up. The Adrian McGuinness-trained Bubbly Bellini, raised 11lb. for a win in Limerick on Saturday and 5lb ‘well-in’, followed-up in the Audi Sligo Handicap, prompting McGuinness to quip: “Obviously, the handicapper was right. And Ian gave him a great ride from a terrible draw.”
Later, The Fox Tully, successful in Fairyhouse last Wednesday and in the Sligo Champion Handicap for the father-and-son, trainer-rider combination of Gerry and Colin Keane.
