Naas brace completes good day for Harrington
Power landed both hurdles on the card, on Franc Villez and Qasbah, while Berry’s brace, on Musical Review and Sandtime brought his seasonal tally to 35.
“It’s hard work out there, but he stayed at it well,” declared trainer Jessica Harrington after Franc Villez collared front-running Mill House Girl (Ruby Walsh) on the run-in to win the Thoroughbred County Hurdle.
“He didn’t get home in winter ground, but is getting stronger all the time. We’ll find another two and a half mile ‘novice’ for him, probably at Tralee. We decided not to go to Galway because I though the ‘novice’ was too smart for him. He’s only five and will make a nice chaser in time.”
Franc Villez’s win came a few minutes before his stable-companion Jumbajukiba captured the listed Platinum Stakes at Cork.
Debutant Taravada completed a tremendous day for Jessica Harrington when winning the Naas bumper, giving the trainer a double at the track and three winners on the day,
Taravada, a well-regarded four-year-old son of Kayf Tara, considered a future chaser by his trainer, travelled well throughout before giving Sean Byrne his second racecourse success.
Qasbah, the second leg of Power’s double, proved a huge drifter on track, ending at 11/2 from 5/2. But, under a confident ride, Harry Rogers’ charge pounced on the run-in to foil the rallying Platium Starlight and the flattering Tully Cross.
Harry Rogers said: “He couldn’t get into a maiden hurdle anywhere. He was supposed to go to Galway, but we had to come here instead. He did it well in that ground, which is heavier than he likes, under a good pilot. He might run again in the valuable handicap hurdle at Sligo on Wednesday.”
Earlier, Fran Berry provided Ger Kennedy, based in Ballynonty, County Tipperary, with his first winner since La Shalak triumphed at Killarney in July 2004, when Musical Review gained a narrow win in the six-furlong Naas Handicap.
Kennedy explained: “We’ve been waiting six weeks to get a run. I had to ring the handicapper and ask him to put her up a couple of pounds to help get into a race. She has a good pedigree and it’s great to win with her.”
Berry’s double was completed when Sandtime, owned by Lady Clague and trained by John Oxx, proved a clear-cut winner of the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden, slamming frustrating favourite Diamond Necklace by nine lengths.
Tracey Collins will consider aiming Kyniska at the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes following her debut win in the Coolmore Ad Valorem 2-Y-0 Maiden.
The daughter of Choisir, ridden by Pat Shanahan, swooped late to beat Ballydoyle colt New Zealand (Shaun Levey) by a half-length in a blanket-finish.
The winning trainer said: “We’ve always thought a lot of this filly. She’s a lovely mover and we were a bit worried about the ground. She’s in the ‘Moyglare’ and might run somewhere before then.”
Domingues showed determination and battling qualities to repeat a course and distance win in the Tattersalls Ireland 2-Y-0 Auction Race.
Trainer Eddie Lynam commented: “He’s tough and battled well and got a good strong ride from Declan. He’s a big asset. We booked him last Tuesday and Kevin (Prendergast) was good to release him.”
“This horse is in the Doncaster Sales race, but it looks very hot. I’ve spotted a five-furlong winners’ race at Tipperary, with no penalties for auction race winners. That looks an ideal race for him. We might try him at listed level later on.”
Teenage apprentice Martin Harley, from Letterkenny, County Donegal, registered his third career win when steering the Sean Treacy-trained Dane Blue to a comprehensive all-the-way win in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
Treacy said: “I knew the mare was in good form. And Martin is a chirpy young lad, with plenty of ability. She’s in again at both Gowran on Wednesday and the Curragh on Sunday. I’m not sure where she’ll run, although she has won at the Curragh and the owners might want to go back there.”
