Battling Rayna completes four-timer
Halpin, who is apprenticed to Kevin Prendergast, is now unbeaten in three spins on the Aga Khan-owned Selkirk filly, which battled gamely to hold Dragon Fei by a head, completing a double for the young man from Blanchardstown.
Previously successful at Tramore, Leopardstown and Killarney, Rayna was the only three-year-old in last night’s field and is clearly an improving filly.
A delighted Halpin explained: “She’s tough and travelled well and was able to hold her position. She quickened up and probably got there a bit soon. She didn’t do much in front. But she’s game and is improving with racing. That’s three I’ve won on her and I’m sure Mr. Oxx will know where to go next with her.”
Splashtop, trained for Rick Barnes by Patrick Prendergast, provided Halpin with the first leg of his double, opening her account in the Ladies Day At Sligo August 7th Nursery.
Always well-positioned, the daughter of Big Bad Bob edged past front-running Cleano at the furlong-pole and kept on strongly to score by two and a half lengths.
“It was straight forward,” stated Halpin. “She jumped, travelled, took up a good position and, when I asked her, she quickened nicely. She knew her job and did what she had to do.”
The tough mare Queen Of Alba, bought for the Moyclear Syndicate for just €800 last year, landed the Connacht Derby for Tom and Rory Cleary.
The five-year-old chased front-running Third Dimesnion for most of the journey before edging ahead and, stretching clear on the turn for home, stayed on strongly to slam Corona Borealis by five and a half lengths with Stony Grey in third spot.
“I was confident coming here,” declared trainer Tom Cleary afterwards. “The ground and trip were right. She had a bad draw in Galway last week and Rory said she didn’t come down the hill — everything was happening a bit quick for her.
“But she’s tough and was a good buy and she likes Sligo. She needs an ease in the ground.”
Arthur Moore, a force at Sligo for many years, saddled Back Off Mate to land the Sligo Weekender Apprentice Maiden, in which he finished second last year.
Ridden by Ronan Whelan, the versatile six-year-old triumphed by two and a half lengths from Fire Belt, prompting Moore to explain: “Ronan has been knocking on the door for us for a few years and this is his first win for us. The horse finished second in this race last year and deserved a change of luck on the flat — the ground was too fast for him at the Curragh.
“He has won over hurdles, fences and on the flat and we’ll continue to mix it. He’ll probably go to Tramore, for a hurdle or chase, and go back to the Curragh for the amateur Derby in September.”
Winner of the race two years ago, the Pat Martin-trained Footprint made it three wins from four outings at Sligo, when prevailing in a blanket-finish to the Foley’s Bar & Off Licence Handicap, getting home by a couple of heads from Lady Ultra and Chillie Billie with Wexford Opera a short-head away fourth.
“Things didn’t happen for him in Galway, but Andrew (Thornton) gets on particularly well with him and gave him some ride today,” explained winning trainer Pat Martin. “This horse is a bit of a character and a bit hot, but he’s brave and has plenty of ability. An ease in the ground is crucial for him.”
The Jim Bolger-trained debutante Vocal Nation got up on the line to pip Newton Bomb in the opening two-year-old auction maiden, a first winner for her sire Vocalised.
Bolger’s representative Ger Flynn said: “We trained her half-sister Fionnuar — she won three for us — so we know the family. Kevin said she travelled well but was very green. She should improve a lot from the run. We’ll try to find a nursery for her.”
Chris Hayes was seen at his strongest in the finale as the Paul Deegan-trained Hallo Rosie, battled back tenaciously, having made the running before being headed, to beat Uncharted Waters by a neck.
