Arugam Bay puts rivals to the sword
SMART EFFORT: Arugam Bay wins the Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Tipperary Stakes in the hands of Chris Hayes. Picture: Healy Racing
Arugam Bay showed herself to be a rapidly progressive sort by turning Wednesday’s feature at Tipperary, the listed Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Tipperary Stakes, into a procession.
Trained by Patrick and Eddie Harty, and ridden by Chris Hayes, for whom she was winner number 1,001 in Ireland, the filly popped out in front and dictated matters with a degree of ease. Her four rivals sat just behind the pace but she had them in trouble quite a way out, and Hayes had the luxury of easing up just a touch as his mount raced through the line, clear of runner-up First Approach.
“That was great,” said Patrick Harty. “We’ve liked the filly since we got her in January, and she’s just a quick, straightforward filly. She’s one of those filly who enjoys company and, at home, we’ve never seen where the bottom is.
“We’ve always thought she was a nice filly. We only ran her over six furlongs at Fairyhouse because she was so well treated in those auction races, and it didn’t make sense to go elsewhere.
“We came here today quietly confident that her home work was suggesting that she would be good enough, not necessarily to do what she did there but to bring home black type.
“I’m impressed by what she did there because to go out in front is unusual for her, and she put them all under pressure a long way out. She’s learning all the time, and potentially a very good filly.”
Harry’s Hill provided trainer Martin Hassett with a welcome tonic by taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race in fine style, for what was his ninth career victory. Fourth in the Rockingham on Derby Day at the Curragh, he was turned out quickly but revelled in conditions of the race to win a shade cosily from the odds-on favourite, Sir Yoshi.
“Twenty days ago I had a triple heart bypass so that is better than any medication,” said Hassett.
“He’s a star, and every year he pulls something out of the bag. For a small yard like ours, he’s bringing us to places we wouldn’t normally be going. He’s won nine times and won over €160,000 and only cost €12,000.
“Wayne said he just dipped his head as the gate opened in the Rockingham. We wouldn’t have beaten the winner, but he still ran a great race.
“He was second in the Joe McGrath last year at the Curragh and we could aim for that again.”
A little restraint, with a little help from the application of cheekpieces for the first time, went a long way for Kansas as he ended a frustrating run of placed efforts with victory in the opener, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Jack The Bachelor set off at a blistering pace and for much of the race he looked to have all of his rivals in trouble. Credit to the Aidan O’Brien-trained and Wayne Lordan-ridden winner, though, he put his head down and collared the long-time leader close home to make it fourth time lucky.
Cousins Sam and Ben Coen enjoyed a profitable evening with the former taking the Tipperary Town Apprentice Handicap aboard the Gavin Cromwell-trained Skillman Ave, and Ben teaming up with Johnny Murtagh to record a double with Amber Blossom and Onemoredance.
Amber Blossom was under pressure a long way out but showed a good attitude to withstand the late effort of Kinda Tiny by a length, while Onemoredance, who is part-owned by Dublin footballer Ciaran Kilkenny, raced home clear in the @TipperaryRaces Handicap to complete the near 36-1 double.
“She likes the track and has now won twice here,” said Murtagh, of the latter. “She ran well the last day and Joseph’s horse that beat her won again last night.
“She is much easier to manage now — she was tricky at the start of the year. I think she’s just settled into the system now and likes being out in the paddock after she rides out.
“It’s great to have the owner (Kilkenny) here with a smile on his face after last weekend.”
There was a huge upset in the finale, the nine-furlong TiperraryRaces.ie Handicap, in which 40-1 chance Chou Chou shed his maiden status at the 23rd time of asking. Brought wide and late by Killian Leonard, the four-year-old left all previous form behind as he collared Thegooseiscooked in the final strides to give local trainer Eamonn O’Connell a popular success.
