Quinlan off mark at the first attempt
He had his first ride in public, in the Richard Power Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle, and proceeded to do the business aboard Edward O’Grady’s 16-1 outsider of the 11-strong field, Albatros.
Bringontheclowns looked the likely winner when sweeping ahead coming away from the second last. But he found little from the final flight and first Albatros and then Four On The Trot swept past on the level.
Quinlan, who is a brother of amateur rider, Roger, is attached to the O’Grady yard and the trainer was represented by his assistant, former jockey, Michael Duffy. Said Duffy: "This horse has been done for his wind and it wasn’t a big surprise. We knew he would be a good ride for a lad round here.”
Barry Geraghty gave Joe Crowley’s Golden Glow a smashing drive to take the Quish’s Super Valu Maiden Hurdle.
Geraghty produced this mildly enigmatic sort with delightful timing to lead on the inside two out and Golden Glow coasted home to beat Baringo.
Pat Hughes’ Baringo was backed from 2-1 to 6-4 favourite, but had a lot to do in seventh place in the dip and was nearest at the finish.
Crowley was loud in his praise of Geraghty. "He gave him a beautiful ride, you have to have everything right with this horse.
"He’s been running well, but hasn’t been getting home. That’s why we brought him to Tramore.”
Norman Williamson rode his first ever winner on the flat when Raise A Storm toyed with the opposition in the Waterford Crystal Noel M Griffin Memorial Handicap. David Wachman’s charge was always travelling sweetly and had this in safe keeping once given the office to lead off the home turn.
Said Wachman: "There’s another two mile handicap coming up at Roscommon and he will go there. He will probably head for a novice hurdle at Listowel, he loves fast ground.”
Robbie Burns, who rode some 20 winners as an amateur for Noel Meade, enjoyed his second success, since talking out a licence to train eight months earlier, when Twokay landed the Killone Estates Handicap Chase.
A huge local roar went up when Paul Roche’s Ballinarrid edged into the lead after the third last and he still held the call approaching the final fence.
But Ruby Walsh had Twokay in full flow now and the Sri Pekan gelding was too strong for Ballinarid on the run in. "He will probably go to Tralee now”, reported a delighted Burns.
Aoife Kent, who trains at Kilmacow in south Klkenny, is in her fourth year with a licence and she had a seventh winner when Indian Desert took the Tote Exacta Handicap.
Indian Desert was first reserve, but got into the contest and grabbed the chance under Timmy Houlihan.
He surged ahead in the dip and was always holding the late burst of Drive In Style. "He’ll go to Tralee, if he gets in”, said Ms Kent.
Market leader, Tribal Princess, obliged for punters in the Waterford and Tramore Directors’ Handicap.
The five-year-old mare went for glory four furlongs down and stretched away off the home bend to give rider, Joe Casey, a welcome turn.
Billy Lee gave Platinum Starlight a very strong ride to win the Tramore Racecourse Handicap.
The 16-1 shot made all the running, staying on doggedly close home for Lee to hold Bobington by a short head.
Aidan O’Brien has swamped the Darley Dewhurst Stakes with 29 of the 113 entries for the Group One event for two-year-olds on Champions’ Day, October 18.
The Ballydoyle trainer, who saddled a 1-2-3 led by Rock Of Gibraltar in 2001 - has put in such classy youngsters as One Cool Cat, winner of the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, Antonius Pius, unbeaten in two starts, and Troubadour.
The Roger Charlton-trained Three Valleys, under par when third to One Cool Cat at the Curragh , after winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot by eight lengths, may bid to redeem his reputation. Mark Johnston’s six entries include Lucky Story, winner of the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last month.
