Collins dominates Killarney feature with help from Blackmore
FAMILY AFFAIR: Connections of Minella Diamond celebrate after winning The Irish Examiner Ladies Flat Race for owner Christopher Neville (L-R) Chris Neville, Suzanne Neville, Tommy Lyons, Christopher Neville Snr and James Neville. Pic: Healy Racing
Kerry native Cian Collins, who trains in Co Meath, saddled the first two home in Thursday evening’s feature race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Hurdle, and the stable bragging rights went to Presenting Doyen, who was delivered late by Rachael Blackmore to land the spoils.
When Effernock Fizz won here last year, she provided Collins with his first winner, and for much of this race it looked as though she’d add another to her tally. However, she is always a forward-going sort who goes hard from the outset and when those exertions began to tell in the straight, she was unable to repel the late rush of her stablemate, who was out the back early.
