Farcical start ‘a disgrace’, says de Bromhead
Initially, there was a false start and then, with everything apparently in order, the tape subsequently failed to come back when the starter, Pat Malone, pushed the relevant button.
But it got worse. Malone finally got them away, but seemed blissfully unaware that the favourite, Henry de Bromhead’s Wilde Sapphire, was facing the wrong way.
To say de Bromhead was furious would be something of an understatement. The irate trainer declared: “That’s a disgrace, my mare did not refuse to start. He (Malone) let them go when she was facing the wrong way.”
Needless to say, Wilde Sapphire hadn’t a prayer after that and anyone who backed her, at least at the track, got no run for their hard-earned dosh. Both Paddy Power and Boylesports refunded all bets on the horse.
The contest itself went to the front-running Kalaroa, trained by Sean Treacy and powerfully handled by Michael Darcy, who beat Artful Artist by a length.
The stewards went through the motions of holding an inquiry and the matter was referred to the chief executive of the Turf Club.
Passage Vendome, who would have won at Ballinrobe but for falling at the last, made no mistake in the @tramoreraces On Twitter Beginners Chase.
He basically did half speed throughout and this was over, bar further divine intervention, once Ruby Walsh asked him to lead coming away from the third last.
“He would have won a stronger race only for falling at Ballinrobe,” said Walsh. “It is nice to see him coming back from a fall and doing that.”
It was Walsh’s only ride of the day and he quipped: “If he hadn’t fallen at Ballinrobe, I wouldn’t be here, I’d be at home playing with the kids!
Billybuster redeemed the promise of his recent Gowran Park second when easily landing the Like Tramore Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Andrew McNamara, Billybuster made all to coast home ten lengths clear of Famous Ballerina.
It was a first success for his trainer, William Delahunty, from Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny.
Delahunty, who has held a licence for five years, is 40 years of age and has just four horses in his care.
The Tommy Nagle-trained The Bold Beckey cropped up at 20-1 in the Tramore Racecourse 2013 Special Recognition Award Handicap Hurdle.
Given a superb drive by Eddie O’Connell, the winner got a dream run on the inside to prove too strong for Wrong Way Corrigan.
“She’s a good little mare, I thought she might finish third, but first will do,” reported Nagle.
O’Connell completed a double when guiding the Jimmy Finn-trained Coldstonesober to victory in the Christmas Party At Tramore Racecourse On Dec 12th Beginners Chase.
The seven-year-old edged ahead coming away from two out and was soon clear to beat long time leader, Caddy Man.
“It probably wasn’t the greatest race in the world, but he won it handy,” said O’Connell.
Winner number three for O’Connell then arrived when Molinero, also trained by Finn, made all to take the Tramore Racecourse Supporters’ Club Handicap Chase.
“It’s a great day and a long time since I rode a treble,” exclaimed a delighted O’Connell, the odds on his three winners coming to 1,344-1.
Katie Walsh’s considerable strength came into play when she forced the hitherto rather disappointing Bonobo to a half a length defeat of Perrie Hill in the Bumper. It was the first occasion Walsh had ridden for Bonobo’s trainer, Kevin Prendergast.
