Irish team consolidate lead in Oz

KEVIN COLEMAN and Niki O'Shea made it another Irish one-two in the Australia v Ireland Hurdle at Melbourne track Sandown yesterday.

Coleman got 2.6/1 second favourite Dot Com home by a half length from O'Shea on the even money chance Mount Kosciusko. Niall Madden finished fifth and Brian Byrnes, on a rank outsider, trailed in last.

Coleman, from Innishannon, Co Cork, was thrilled to get his first win in Australia after his brush with the Stewards in Werribee the previous day. “I think they're picking on me”, he suggested with a smile, after being questioned about an incident close to the line when he appeared to lean over on O'Shea, however, no action was taken.