Unorthodox a UAE Derby possible after winning debut
Ridden by Connor King, the son of Thewayyouare was last out of the stalls but made steady progress from mid-division at half-way and, challenging down the inside, got up late to foil even-money favourite Dalewari by a neck.
The winning rider commented: “He was very green and did well to win – he can only improve,” while Murphy, speaking later by phone, explained: “He’s a fair horse, but was slow to come to hand. He’ll be a lovely three-year-old and could be a horse for the UAE Derby. He has an all-weather pedigree and could be anything.”
Dalewari’s trainer Michael Halford and rider Shane Foley enjoyed better luck and continued his tremendous form when Camakasi belatedly opened his account in the Follow Dundalk On Facebook Maiden despite losing more than six lengths at the start.
Tony Martin, who saddles Clonard Street in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in Saint Cloud today, won the seven-furlong 47-65 handicap with top-weight Marble Statuette, under a confident ride by Robbie Colgan, better known for his National Hunt exploits.
“I was happy with her the last day (the filly’s first run for Martin) and thought there was one in her,” said the trainer. “It’s important for breeding that she won and I’m not sure what the plan is now – her owner (Glen Devlin) is in Argentina at the moment.”
Kimbay, trained by Noel ‘Iggy’ Lawlor, completed a sprinting hat-trick when, forcefully ridden by Rory Clear, she prevailed by a half-length over Ability N Delivery in a blanket-finish to the five-furlong Dundalk Stadium Handicap.
“She’s honest and does her job,” stated Lawlor. “She wants good ground, so we’ll keep going here for another while,” before confirming that the four-year-old Windsor Knot filly will return in search of a third course and distance win on November 28.
“If ever a horse deserved another win, it was him,” stated trainer Johnny Levins after Dundalk regular Havelock Ellis, the 9/4 favourite, won the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap under Ronan Whelan. “I’m delighted to give Ronnie a winner – he rides a lot of work for us. The horse likes this place and I’m confident he’ll win another for us.”
Conor Hoban gave the Pat Flynn-trained favourite He’s Our Music a well-judged, front-running ride to win the finale the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.
