Katla prevails in thriller
The Majestic Missile filly, successful at a similar level in York last October, travelled strongly under Billy Lee, challenged inside the final furlong and edged-out Empowering, which had made a valiant bid to make all. Favourite Alanza was a fast-finishing third, just a half-length adrift.
Winning owner/trainer/breeder Grogan declared: “I didn’t think she’d get up. But Billy rode a great race and got there just in time.”
In outlining plans for Katla, Grogan earmarked the five furlong Abergwaun Stakes in Tipperary on August 5 as the filly’s next target while the Flying Five at the Curragh and a six-furlong event in Ascot in the autumn are also on her agenda.
The Michael Higgins & Co. Race produced a tremendous finish, in which 14/1 shot Taameer, formerly trained in England by Marcus Tregoning and making his debut for Dermot Weld, prevailed over veteran Duff and Mutahadee in a blanket finish of short heads.
The winning trainer admitted: “That was a good performance in what looked a very decent race. I think he’s a very talented horse and have been very happy with him. But I thought a mile would be a bit short for him.
“He’s given every indication that he’s a nice, staying horse. We bought him in Doncaster last November as a dual-purpose horse. He has been schooled and loves jumping but his next assignment will be in Galway, in the mile-and-six-furlong winners race on the Friday.”
Both market-leaders Cocozza (15/8 favourite) and Teo’s Sister disappointed, filling fifth and eighth positions respectively.
The opening two-year-old race, delayed by a false start, went to the Tommy Stack trained newcomer Hestian (12/1) which go the better of Jim Bolger’s odds-on favourite An Ghalanta by two lengths.
Fozzy Stack commented: “He’s shown a lot of pace at home, but is still very green. The false start helped, because he was slowly away first time. He’s from the same family as Lochsong and will be a five and six furlong horse.”
The Stewards investigated the circumstances of the false start, a rare occurrence when starting stalls are in use. Starter Paddy Graffin explained that, in an effort to use his walkie-talkie to communicate the withdrawal of Julie Moss, he had slipped and accidentally triggered the starting mechanism.
Ben Curtis brought Wandering Heart with a strong late surge to foil front-running Krivan by a half-length in the six-furlong KC Civils Supporting Naas Hurtling Maiden. The Iffraaj filly is trained by Frank Ennis, who also trained here dam Inourhearts ands who explained: “She’s a good, genuine filly and is still a bit green so she should come on a bit more. We’ll give her a month before running her again and she’ll probably step-up to seven furlongs.”
Apprentice Gary Phillips registered his first success when Joe Eile, trained by his boss Ger Lyons, landed the concluding Follow Naas Racecourse On Facebook Handicap in a three-way photo-finish from Westtower Boy and Casela Park and then survived a Stewards Enquiry.
The winner was building on a solid second to Simla Sunset at the Curragh last weekend, for which he was raised 4lb. Trainer Lyons said: “I’m delighted for Gary. He’s ridden a few placed horses and deserved a change of luck. He’s a good lad and claim 10lb. off 8-4, so he’s a big asset.”
The father and son, trainer and rider combination of Gerry and Conor Keane captured he Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, beating favourite Naked Cowboy by a half-length.
Trainer Keane commented: “That’s Conor’s second win and both were on this mare. She’s been consistent this year and back to her best. There’s a similar race for her here on Bank Holiday Monday and she’ll probably come back for that.”
