Flying Fortress helps Robert Whearty hit milestone at Listowel

The biggest cheer of the afternoon at Listowel was reserved for 33-1 chance Ehteyat who gave trainer Michael Flannery his first winner.

Flying Fortress and Robert Whearty (red cap white sleeves) turn into the home straight to win the Liam & Joan Healy Memorial Handicap at Listowel. Pic: Healy Racing

The victory of the Gavin Cromwell-trained Flying Fortress in the Liam & Joan Healy Memorial Handicap, on day two of Listowel’s Harvest Festival, provided a special moment for jockey Robert Whearty.

Not alone did the victory put the young rider one ahead of Wayne Hassett in the race for the apprentice championship, it also signalled the end of his claim.

Said Whearty: “In Ireland, it’s tough to lose your claim, so I’m delighted that I’ve achieved that. It’s been a goal of mine for the last couple of months, and we have another goal for the end of the year. We’ll take it day by day and if we get there, we get there, and if we don’t, we don’t.

“There have been a lot of people behind me, thank God. I’ve got a lot of support: Gavin, obviously; Gary Carroll gives me a lot of help; Conor Maxwell. There’s just too many to thank, but there is a lot of them there, and they know who they are.” 

Whearty and Cromwell weren’t long in doubling their tally on the card when, in an eventful running of the Kevin’s Bar, Listowel/Exchange Inn, Ballybunion Handicap, Secret Force touched off Bridezilla and Superficial.

While that win put Whearty two clear in the apprentice riders’ championship, nearest rival Wayne Hassett reduced it to one with a winner in Fairyhouse.

Cherry Hill Girl got off the mark in great style by taking the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden. Andy Slattery’s filly showed promise on debut and after a disappointing effort second time up, she was found to have a wound on a hind leg. Clearly much better this time and coping well with the testing conditions, she raced clear off the final bend to win as she pleased.

In the Visit Millennium Machinery Open House Exhibition October 9-11 Handicap, the likable Dragon Of Malta, trained by Pat O’Donnell and ridden by Donagh O’Connor, ended a two-year drought with a second course success. Never far off the pace, the eight-year-old challenged long-time leader Still She Blooms on the turn for home and forged clear close home for a sixth career success.

The Paddy Twomey-trained Naples put a first winning mark on his card with a determined display in the Tote Never Beaten By SP Maiden. The 16-5 chance raced in midfield early but made a move on the outside turning for home. He hung left and received a bump over a furlong out but picked up again to deny Lady Lilac by a head.

Winning rider Billy Lee reported: “He thought he had enough done, half a furlong out, and just gave the second a chance, but it was a nice performance. He did it well. He travelled around okay. We got into an okay position but just had to angle out off the bend and come with my run a bit wide. I got a clear run, and he picked up well, but when he got to the front, he thought he had enough done. Hopefully he can keep progressing.” 

Dylan Browne McMonagle leads the jockeys’ championship and when he pushed Starford clear in the John McGuire Handicap, it extended his lead to three over Colin Keane. The winner, trained by Joseph O’Brien, was a shade unlucky in his hat-trick bid at Galway but made amends in superb style, racing clear in the straight to win as he pleased.

“I had to come around wide,” said the winning rider. “There was plenty of deadwood in front of me into the straight, but I came out on the best ground and kept it smooth.

“He was the best horse in the race, and I didn’t want to interfere with him. He’s quickened up good and hit the line well. He’s an improving horse and hopefully he can keep going through the grades. He’s definitely a nice handicapper for the end of the year.” 

Asked if there was pressure to get back amongst the winners with Colin Keane having taken advantage of McMonagle, he said, “There’s no pressure. You wouldn’t expect anything less from the champion. He’s always going to get winners, and that’s the way it is. We just have to try and keep chasing if we can.” 

Grafton Street, a son of Wootton Bassett and Ribblesdale runner-up Ennistymon, made a belated winning debut in the Eric Browne Memorial Maiden. The 4-1 chance travelled sweetly in the hands of Ronnie Whelan and duly got the better of a duel with the experienced Sears Crossing, the two a long way clear of the remainder.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for 33-1 chance Ehteyat who, in taking the finale, the Treo Eile Retraining Ireland’s Racehorses Handicap, gave trainer Michael Flannery his first winner, much to the delight of rider Paddy Harnett.

“I have a lot of supporters around here and it was great to have a first winner,” said Flannery. “I had to come to Killarney or here for it. I was pressed to take out the licence by my daughter.

“I have six horses in at the moment and have two or three syndicates from Askeaton. After that, I have a few for the point to point season, and a couple of nice horses for the Flat. I took out the licence only last year and bought a place in Askeaton.” 

Explaining the particular pleasure Harnett got from the victory, he added: “We’re friends with Paddy and the family and he has ridden plenty for me over the years, so it’s great to get this winner on the track.”