Barbizon finishes with a flourish to claim Punchestown spoils
FINE EFFORT: Barbizon and Shane Foley win the Hospitality On Sale Now Race at Punchestown on Tuesday. Picture: Healy Racing
The lightly-raced Barbizon, trained in West Cork by John Murphy, displayed a fine turn of foot to see off battle-hardened handicapper Ceur d’Or and listed winner Birthe to land the Hospitality On Sale Now Race at Punchestown’s only Flat meeting of the season.
Confidently handled by Shane Foley, the three-year-old gelding, conceding weight to his four rivals, tracked the leading duo into the straight where the 3-1 shot came with a late surge along the stands rail to collar last year’s Irish Cambridgeshire fourth and beat him by three quarters of a length.
“He’s a horse I’ve always liked, since before he ran,” said Foley. “He did things wrong time in the Curragh, won well in Killarney and Colin liked him the last day, in a messy listed race, in Killarney.
“This was a good performance, giving weight to a solid handicapper and a stakes winner. He’s a smart horse and that trip (an extended nine furlongs) suits him well.”
Champion jockey Colin Keane registered his 69th domestic winner of the season (eight behind Dylan Browne McMonagle in the title race) when giving La Fogata a stunning ride to land the opening Irish Stallion farms EBF 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden.
Settled at the back of the field, the Mehmas filly swept past all her rivals in the straight, finishing down the outside to foil Ballydoyle pair White Sand Beach and Cameo, with favourite Lookingforarainbow fading into fourth spot.
“She did it well, under a very good ride, and Colin feels she’ll get further,” said Shane Lyons. “He’s next start will be in the Silken Glider at the Curragh on October 21, looking for some black type.”
In the colts’ equivalent, Ronan Whelan continued his good strike rate for Aidan O’Brien when partnering 5-4 favourite Port Of Spain to a half-length victory over promising debutant Back Straight.
O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong explained: “He had two lovely runs in hot Curragh maidens and was the top pick on form. The race was a bit messy, but Ronan gave him a lovely ride.
“He says there’s plenty of improvement to come and we might look at the Beresford or Eyrefield for him. He’s definitely a stakes horse in the making.”
Enjoying his best season, Joey Sheridan rode his first winner for Joseph O’Brien as Snapretend captured the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden at the expense of Lady Lilac. Sheridan subsequently received a two-day whip ban.
O’Brien completed a double when 12-1 shot Kashel Spring, ridden by 7lb claimer Julian Pietropaolo, took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap, mastering favourite Its All Peachy by a half-length.
Cork teenager Pietropaolo went on to complete the first double of his burgeoning career when guiding Paddy Magee’s Inns Of Court filly Searcog to a three-length success in the second division of the 0-60 handicap.
Ben Coen brought his seasonal tally to 45 when delivering for Andy Oliver on Sun Soldier in the Nostra Supporting Laois GAA Handicap.
And apprentice Joe Harnett recorded his first win since losing his 10lb claim when 11-race maiden Warazam, trained by Jarlath Fahey, belatedly opened her account in a division of the 0-60 handicap, justifying 13-8 favouritism in convincing fashion.
