Gazelle D’or delivers in style for Grassick
Curragh trainer Michael Grassick and jockey Rory Cleary teamed up to land the most valuable contest on Bellewstown’s eight-race Flat card, the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden, with Gazelle D’or.
The daughter of Equiano had been runner-up in two of her five previous starts and the 10/3 chance showed speed throughout over the downhill five furlongs to master Bobbi Rosa by half-a-length.
“I think five is her minimum trip, so when she goes six or seven she will be okay,” said Cleary.
The other sprint on the card was a competitive 5f handicap which saw 4/1 joint-favourite Harry’s Hill make all under in-form claimer Wayne Hassett who was extending his advantage at the top of the apprentice standings.
The Heeraat gelding had the race in the bag over a furlong out and held Transcendental by half-a-length.
The jockey’s grand-uncle, and winning trainer, Martin Hassett said: “Plum draw in one and Wayne said to me ‘I’m letting him roll’.
“In fairness, the handicapper has given us a chance and there’s a race in Navan coming up soon over five.” he added.
A promising fifth on debut at Naas, Joseph O’Brien’s Kelbelle had no trouble justifying 9/4 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden under Dylan Browne McMonagle.
The daughter of Inns Of Court was prominent throughout and eased clear early in the straight to beat Mythical Rock by an impressive six lengths.
“She’d had a few barrier trials but was always going to come on plenty for her first run and hopefully can keep on improving,” said the winning rider.
Well-backed 10/3 favourite Copie Conforme repeated last month’s course and distance victory when landing the Peadar Kearney’s Pub Handicap. Kevin Prendergast’s filly led two furlongs out and held off Blue Soul by half a length.
“As the boss would say himself, I was there an hour too soon but at least she helped me,” said winning rider, and Prendergast’s longtime ally, Chris Hayes.
The Bog Bank (4/1 fav) recorded her fourth course and distance victory in the first division of the Gibneys Malahide Handicap over a mile. The Epaulette mare had provided young rider Alyse Clarke, from Kentstown in Co Meath, with her first winner when scoring at this venue in early July and the pair again proved a winning combination when beating Selective Power by a length-and-a-quarter.
“Alyse has just finished school and is improving with every ride,” said trainer Tom McCourt.
“I’m hoping she takes a year out of college. She would be good to have for the winter in Dundalk.”
The second division of that mile contest saw Cherry Pink spring an 18/1 surprise on just her second start since joining Ado McGuinness’ stable in Lusk as she came from off the pace under Adam Caffrey to beat Royal Tribute by a length-and-a-quarter.
Johnny Murtagh’s Ob La Di (12/1) returned from a midsummer break to win the mile-and-a-half maiden under Ben Coen.
The concluding 2m1f handicap for amateur riders resulted in victory, following a stewards’ enquiry, for Walking On Glass (8/1) after Aine O’Connor’s mount had her passage on the rail blocked by first-past-the-post Royal Eagle.
