Oxx’s countrywide tour continues with Tipperary double
Completing a treble for jockey Johnny Murtagh, Alanza appreciated the step up in trip when coming from way off the pace to catch Anam Allta in the shadow of the post. Irish 1000 Guineas fourth Claiomh Solais tried to make all but she was reeled-in late and finished a gallant third, while English raider and favourite Hooray failed to fire and trailed in a never-dangerous eighth.
Winning trainer John Oxx said: “She’s a good filly. She’s got the message now. She was too keen and was giving us problems earlier in the year. We had to run her over shorter to get her to settle. She might have won one or other of those races (over six furlongs) but they taught her to settle well.
“Seven and a half to one mile and half a furlong is her trip. The strong gallop suited her and she’s done it well. I’m not sure where she’ll go next, but fast ground suits her.”
Buffalo Berry initiated the Oxx double and was the middle leg of the Murtagh treble when he carried the famous silks of Sir Edmund Loder to victory in the Camas Park Stud Maiden. In the colours carried by Group 1-winning filly Marling, the colt showed the benefit of his previous experience when answering every urge of his rider to deny Absolute Crackers.
“He’s progressed from race to race,” said his trainer. “He’s getting a little more professional each time and hopefully he’ll go on and improve another little bit. He might go for a nursery next and we’ll see where we go from there. He’s a nice professional, smart little fella.”
The Johnny Murtagh treble was initiated when Ado McGuinness’ Ultra Cool followed up her Roscommon success of just three days previously by running out a very comfortable winner of the Glenvale Stud Handicap. Carrying a mandatory 5lb penalty, she swooped late to lead with half a furlong to go and ran on strongly to score a shade comfortably.
Long-standing maiden Eagle Canyon was sent off an odds-on favourite in the opener but he was beaten shortly after turning for home, as victory went to the Dermot Weld-trained Olfa. The daughter of Dubawi, having her sixth start in a maiden, took up the running half way up the straight and ran on stoutly to see off debutant Judies Child.
Jockey Shane Foley gave Bay Knight a positive and well judged ride to land the Mocklershill Stables Race for trainer Ken Condon. The gambled-on Skyway was the disappointment of the race as he never managed to land a blow but, in truth, the winner always looked in control as he raced home clear of Good Time Sue.
Kevin Prendergast’s Brown Butterfly earned a visit to the winner’s enclosure when taking the Costello’s Tavern Race. Ridden positively by Declan McDonogh, she was sent for home early and readily held the effort of Joe Eile.
Crusoe’s Return (25-1), ridden by Pat Shanahan for Gerard O’Leary, caused a huge upset when coming from way off the pace to take the closing GAIN Horse Feeds Handicap.
