Trainers unhappy with decision to race on unwatered ground
The Jim Bolger-trained filly justified 11/8 favouritism, in the absence of Famous Name, which was withdrawn by Dermot Weld due to unsuitable ground conditions.
Weld was one of a group of trainers unhappy with a decision made on Wednesday to race on an unwatered stretch of ground, officially described as ‘good’ rather than the terrain which was originally intended for use and was notified as ‘good to yielding’ at declaration time.
The critics of the Leopardstown move claim that the decision was prompted by the urgings of two trainers and that such changes should only be made in extreme circumstances while track officials described the decision as a ‘judgement call’ in the interest of providing the best possible surface for racing.
Jim Bolger, trainer of Shreyas, refused to be drawn into the debate about ground conditions, commenting: “It’s officially good and that’s good enough for me.”
He described Sheryas as “a hardy filly” and indicated that she’ll step-un in both class and trip next time, with a return to Group-company planned, perhaps in the Meld Stakes, back at Leopardstown, on July 23.
Kevin Manning who rides Leopardstown so well, made his move turning for home and quickly sent the Dalakhani filly clear. Keagan Latham extricated Fiery Lad from the bunch and, with fully three lengths to make up at the furlong-pole, he came home strongly and would have caught Sheryas in another stride.
Earlier, Fiery Lad’s trainer Ger Lyons registered his seventh juvenile success of the season when the well-regarded Elusive Galaxy collared fellow debutante and favourite Majestic Dancer close home in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden, scoring by a head under a well-timed ride by Latham.
“She’s a very, very smart filly,” declared a delighted Lyons. “I hope she turns out better than most of ours that win first time.
“The plan was to drop her in and cuddle her and ride her to be placed, and win if he could. Most of ours improve a lot from a run. I thought we might have to wait until the next day for her.
“Once she ran well, the plan was to go for the ‘Balanchine’ at the Curragh next week, a listed race over six furlongs. That’s definitely the plan now.”
Jim Bolger completed a double in the concluding Sandyford Amateur Race when 14/1 newcomer Drive Time triumphed in the colours of legendary Tyrone footballer Peter Canavan.
The American-bred four-year-old kept going strongly under 7lb. claimer Aodhagan Conlon to keep favourite Blackstairmountain at bay by a length and a quarter.
Bolger said: “I bought him in Fairyhouse, hoping to win the sales race. But he was very backward and has taken plenty of time to come right. Peter bought him last year and it’s just as well he’s a patient man.
“I’m not sure what the pan will be with him. If he’s well-handicapped, he could run in something like the ‘GPT’ at Galway. But he’ll make a lovely two-miler chaser in time.”
John Hayden is enjoying a good season with his small string and Harriers Call displayed a commendable attitude under Paul Townend to land the Bjorn Again-Live on Stage After Racing Handicap, a race started by flag after a stalls malfunction.
“She’s tough and, on her last run, was entitled to run well,” said Hayden, “The absence of the stalls probably did her no harm. She’ll have a crack at one of the handicaps at the Curragh next weekend.”
Reggie Roberts, based in Rathangan, County Kildare and better known for his exploits with greyhounds, was on the mark when Chantilly Lace, enterprisingly ridden by in-form Colm O’Donoghue turned over the Dermot Weld-trained favourite Haseila in the one-mile Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden.
Sabrina Harty, who enjoyed a welcome change of luck at Downpatrick on Sunday, saddled Bravely Fought, ridden by Gary Carroll, to win the Bulmers Pear Handicap at the expense of Lonesome Maverick.
