Cellarmaster cheer for Condon
Kevin Coleman, successful the previous afternoon on Monte Solaro, rode a peach of a race, easing his charge ahead approaching the second last.
Loyal Focus, the well-backed favourite, was scrubbed along a fair way out by Ruby Walsh, but was soon in hot pursuit.
But Coleman had got it right and Cellarmaster crossed the line three parts of a length to the good over the runner-up, who will surely come on plenty for the outing.
Condon used to work for John Oxx, where his job was to oversee the juveniles. One of the horses who went through his hands was the mighty Sinndar.
“It was a great learning ground,” said Condon. “It is nice to win the feature at Tralee. We didn’t have huge expectations and were hoping to pick up some prizemoney. Our horses are in good form at the minute.”
Charlie Swan continued his hot streak when Master Ofthe Chase easily won the Meadowlands Hotel Beginners ’Chase.
The seven-year-old cantered to the front before the second last and was only asked to do the minimum by Paul Carberry in the closing stages to beat Laoch Dubh.
“He seems to be a horse who is better with a little break, you cannot run him too quick,” said Swan.
“He was jumping well at home and will probably go to Listowel now for a novice ’chase.”
Dr Julian, taken from 9-4 to 15-8, was tracking the leaders when falling five out.
Carberry completed a double with a delightful display on Tom Cooper’s Havetohaveit in the www.traleehorseracing.com Maiden Hurdle.
He produced the son of Theatrical with impeccable timing to cruise into the lead between the final two flights and beat the flattering Quartino.
“Carberry is a genius, he switched him off, the horse didn’t even know he was in a race,” exclaimed Cooper, as he was showered with congratulations by the owners, the Nearly There Syndicate, comprising eight locals.
Former National Hunt jockey Mick Murphy, whose main business is pre-training horses at his Dundrum base in Tipperary, saddled his first winner when Ballymartin Star defied an absence of 465 days in the Bumper.
Ballymartin Star showed no ill-effects, finding plenty for Roger Quinlan to beat Advanced Flyer a cosy two lengths.
“I’ve been in every stable bar Bethlehem,” quipped the much travelled and clearly delighted Murphy. “This fellow won two points and then fractured his knee. He will now go for a winners’ bumper, but ideally wants hurdles.”
Brian Carey (18) rode his fourth winner when giving Lone Plainsman a fine drive to take the five furlongs Cadu Properties Handicap.
Lone Plainsman got a dream run through on the inside turning in, soon led and stayed on strongly to hold Glencalry.
Said trainer, Pat O’Donnell: “He was very sick early in the year and has taken a while to find his form. I might try him over six at the Curragh next.”
Some decent wagers went west on Kevin Prendergast’s Taqseem in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
Taken at 4-5 in the morning and from 4-6 to 8-15 on track, the son of Fantastic Light looked the likely winner when joining the front-running Beach Bound early in the straight.
Taqseem touched the front with a furlong to run, but Pat Smullen was having none of it and drove Dermot Weld’s colt back into the lead to score by half a length.
The David Wachman trained All Sorts Star made a belated and successful seasonal debut in the Fabric and Furniture Centre Handicap.
Riverboatman made a lot of the running, but was worn down inside the final furlong by the Wayne Lordan-partnered son of Accordion.
Sunny Lady slipped up early in the straight in this race, hampering both In Theory and Pacolet, whose riders were knocked out of their respective saddles.
Chris Geoghegan, who rode Sunny Lady, was removed to hospital for an X-ray on his left shoulder and collarbone. He was stood down for a week.
Pacolet’s rider, Keith Maher, was sent for an X-ray on his jaw, while Tadhg O’Shea (In Theory) was okay.
