Solita sizzles in Wexford sun
The experiment of racing left-handed received a general thumbs-up from jockeys, trainers and officials, with the new direction, and the presence of two hurdles and fences in the straight, providing more of a stamina test than the original configuration of the track.
Teething problems will have to be rectified if this arrangement is to become permanent, particularly getting the approval of the Flat jockeys — it is understood that there will be Flat trials on the track on Friday.
But the positioning of the winning-post, a minimum of a furlong from the nearest part of the grandstand, was and would be a definite inconvenience for racegoers, even if the introduction of a big screen in the infield, directly opposite the main grandstand, eased the problem.
The crowd, bigger than normal for a Tuesday meeting, certainly approved of Solita’s ultimately emphatic victory in the rated novice hurdle.
The six-year-old King’s Theatre mare forged clear on the run-in to beat long-time leader Akorakor by two lengths.
James Nolan, brother of trainer Paul, said: “We got away with it. I thought she’d love that ground, but she never went a yard on it. Luke thought he was in trouble everywhere, until the back of the second last. Her bit of class got her through today.”
A history-making day for Wexford was also a day Tralee-born teenager Cian Collins will never forget.
The 17-year-old, who started his involvement in racing with his local trainer Tom Cooper, before joining Sandra Hughes on the Curragh, rode his first winner when Poetic Lord landed the Barrow Maiden Hurdle at the expense of favourite Teeolena.
Collins’ mount was getting the better of Credulous, ridden by his house-mate Bryan Cooper, turning for home when the winning rider lost his whip. But he kept his mount on an even keel to hold the favourite by a half-length.
“Cian rode once as an amateur and this is his second ride as a claiming professional,” explained the winning trainer. “He gave Poetic Lord a lovely ride. This is what the horse wants — fast ground and a tight track.”
Trainer Liz Doyle described Sean Flanagan’s handling of All The Way Home as “a magic ride” after the blinkered grey mare survived a mistake at the second last fence to land the Slaney Handicap Chase at the expense of Better B Quick.
And, after the Finny Maguire-ridden Tigroney pipped market rival Miss Dinamic by a short-head in the bumper, completing a double for the Doyle team, Doyle added: “They’re like buses — you wait for a one for so long and then two winners come together.”
The first chase on the left-handed layout went to the Mark Bolger-ridden 12/1 shot Annie Oakley, who, according to trainer Jessica Harrington was “on a going day”to get the better of Dushrembrandt on the run-in to triumph by three lengths.
“I’m delighted — she’s won three races and is in foal to Milan,” said Harrington.
Denis Cullen saddled By The Banks to make all in the www.wexfordraces.ie Handicap Hurdle while the honour of winning the first race run left-handed on the track went to the Peter Fahey-trained mare Credo Star, who came from off the pace under Jonathan Burke to foil favourite The Nutcracker.
“She was weak and not finishing her races in bumpers last year, but she’s a stronger mare now,” said Fahey.
“She jumped slowly but seemed to warm up as the race developed. And she kept going well. She’s a real summer horse.”
