Weld considers Rite future

By Pat Keane

Thursday, March 18, 2010

DERMOT WELD’s Rite Of Passage was a strong favourite for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle, but could only manage third.

Surprisingly, he was ridden more prominently than might have been expected, at least early in the race, but he held every chance off the home turn. But he couldn’t match strides with Reve de Sivola, himself run out of it from the final flight by the tough Peddlers Cross and Jason Maguire.

Weld said of Rite Of Passage: "We’re pleased, because the horse has run well on only his third start over hurdles.

"Robbie (McNamara) has given him a good ride. My one worry was inexperience and he lost a good position at a vital stage and had to use up a little energy to get back into contention. He wasn’t good enough on the day, but the first two are top-class. He’s a dual purpose horse and we have to consider taking him to the Melbourne Cup."

Peddlers Cross’ trainer, Donald McCain, said: "He is a machine. When he did his final piece of work at Bangor it was so good it scared me. I would have to say he’s the best I’ve trained."

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, March 18, 2010