Black type bonus as Hasanka finally gets her head in front

JOHN OXX recorded a fine double with his only two runners, Taralaya and Hasanka, at Galway last night.

Oxx, who avoided the Festival meeting five weeks ago because of traffic concerns, was present to see the previously luckless Hasanka earn a valuable listed bracket in the featured Ardilaun House Hotel Oyster Stakes, prompting the trainer to comment: “Any time you have two runners and they both win, you must be very happy.”

After Michael Kinane sent Hasanka past front-running Valain with less than three furlongs to race before holding on bravely to beat Ezima by a head, Oxx added: “Thank God she got her head in front at last after a few near misses. She’s a good, tough and honest filly and that ground is as fast as she’d like it.”