Colman cuts the mustard on Windfarm
Colman Sweeney was simply brilliant at Clonmel yesterday as he drove and cajoled Kerryhead Windfarm to land the featured Powerstown Chase.
Kerryhead Windfarm has been plagued all his life by indifferent jumping, indeed it would be no great exaggeration to say his technique has more often than not left plenty to be desired.
But somehow the amateur Sweeney got a magnificent tune from Adrian Maguire’s ten-year-old, making literally all of the running.
He got Kerryhead Windfarm to shorten and lengthen as required, powering him across many of the obstacles in particularly dashing style.
And yet the game appeared to be up when odds-on King Johns Castle joined issue at the last and then grabbed a marginal advantage on the flat.
But the favourite has never been the bravest and was outbattled close home, as Sweeney threw everything at his mount.
“That was the ride of the year, that lad will never give a horse a better ride”, exclaimed Maguire. “There are plenty of races for this horse, as the ground dries out.”
Racing opened with a popular local success when the Bill Harney-trained Bohemian Lass took the Clonmel Mares Maiden Hurdle.
She carried the colours of Riona Molony, who is the wife of Thurles racecourse supremo, Pierce.
Partnered by John Cullen, the daughter of Moscow Society stayed on gamely to beat the flattering Fortune Seeker.
Harney indicated his charge will stay hurdling for the rest of the campaign, but that chasing will be her game next season.
The favourite Emotional Melody was under pressure to close down the principals when blundering badly two out.
Davy Russell, who partnered Kin Rosc in this race, was in hot water with the stewards.
They received a report from course foreman, Niall Boland, concerning an incident with Russell at the start.
Evidence was heard from Boland, which included a complaint regarding Russell’s abusive conduct towards him prior to the race.
Having considered the evidence, the stewards were dissatisfied with Russell’s conduct. He was suspended for one day and fined €500.
Kevin Coleman added to his growing reputation when driving 33-1 shot Kermar to beat Ruby Walsh and Cler in the Demesne Maiden Hurdle.
Cler was a remote eighth starting the down hill run to the straight and it looked as if Walsh had worked the oracle when he edged him ahead before the final flight.
But the front-running Kermar fought back and showed much the greater resolution in the closing stages to score by half a length.
It was a first winner for Wexford handler, Daryl Deacon, since Forest Leader scored at Wexford in April of 2006.
Commented Deacon: “We bred her ourselves and are thrilled with the way she did it. I’d imagine she will be for breeding in the future.”
Heavily-backed Adrian Maguire-trained favourite, Joe Maguire, took a fatal fall at the third.
Tyrone trainer, Mervyn Torrens, enjoyed his trip south, saddling Nirphania to win the Ballypatrick Handicap Hurdle.
Kashnito d’Hommee looked the likely winner for most of the straight, but simply didn’t buckle down at well as Nirphania through the last hundred yards.
Remarked Torrens: “She’s tough and seems to handle that ground. I’m not sure where she goes next.”
Seebadiva has been a fine money-spinner for the Sean Aherne yard and she left an uncharacteristically poor effort at Thurles behind when getting back on the winning trail in the Lisronagh Novice Handicap Chase.
“The ground was too deep for her at Thurles”, reported Aherne, after she had shown fine battling qualities to beat The Bosses Nephew and Wheresben.
Sheebadiva has now won five times on the track and a Grade 3 mares novice chase at Limerick could be next.
Grab A Grand, who was returning from a long absence when fourth at Gowran Park, improved a bundle for that outing when getting the best of the battle with Cruising Katie in the Bumper.
Owned by Bantry businessman, Con O’Sullivan, he is trained by Robert Tyner, who was represented by his wife, Mary.
Commented Ms Tyner: “He will probably go hurdling now, but chasing is really his game.”
The Suir Ladies Handicap Hurdle wasn’t much of a contest, but it did give trainer, Ned Mitchell, a welcome turn.
Nina Carberry is a big plus in these type of contests and once she eased the winner ahead going to two out the prize was in safe keeping.
