Gianfanti’s experience proves decisive in maiden
The latter was preferred in the market, hardening from 6-4 to evens, but on the track he wasn’t able to cope with the winner who had two runs under his belt.
Colm O’Donoghue pushed Gianfanti to the front with over a furlong to go and, hard as Salt Lake City tried, he could never get in a blow, going down by a length and a half.
The form is probably smart as Jo Must Go was a further six lengths away in third spot.
Commented O’Donoghue: “He’s a lovely horse and the runs he had stood to him.
“He has lots of speed, but it’s too early to say he’s just a sprinter. As he gets older and stronger he will probably get further.’’
Ken Condon, originally from Ballyhea but based on the Curragh, took out a licence in March and he saddled his third winner when Musical World landed the five furlongs Cobh Handicap.
Market leader Step Back looked the likely winner for most of the journey but Billy Lee produced the daughter of Spinning World to ease ahead inside the furlong pole and score with plenty in hand.
Said Condon, who has seven horses in his care: “I spent five years with John Oxx and it was time well spent.
“She is very consistent and tough, takes her training well and deserved that.’’
Austin Leahy’s excellent money-spinner Lake Millstatt did the business again with a game performance, under Helen Keohane, in the Charleville Fillies Handicap.
She was fancied to go well at the Curragh the previous weekend, but ran into the back of another horse at an early stage and had no chance after.
The seven-year-old redressed the balance in style here, sweeping through from the rear of the field to lead inside the final furlong and beat the always prominent Kloonlara.
Commented Leahy: “She will go for another race on the flat and I might try her over hurdles again, she’s a maiden at that game.’’
Denis Quinn, who trains 13 horses at Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, is entering his third year with a licence and he saddled his second winner when Great Idea sprang a 20-1 shock in the EBF Median Auction Fillies Race.
It was hard to make any sort of case for the Lion Cavern filly, but she jumped off in front and made the rest to beat fellow outsider, Dance Fontaine, a decisive four and a half lengths.
Said Quinn: “She didn’t handle the ground or the track at Gowran Park last time, but has been in great form since.’’
The front running Collectors Item looked sure to score for most of the straight, in the EBF Maiden, and headed for the last furlong a good four lengths to the good over Eklim.
But Declan McDonogh got a real tune from Eklim who powered through to grab the leader in the shadow of the post.
It was the 25th juvenile success of the campaign for trainer Kevin Prendergast, with 18 different individuals.
Colm O’Donoghue, successful on the smart Gianfanti, started his afternoon in style when powering Monaless Lass between Fair Replacement and Foxhollow Lady inside the final furlong to easily take the Kanturk Handicap.
