Joseph O’Brien dominates Gowran Park with 131/1 treble
MAKE MINE A TREBLE: Joseph O'Brien, Elaine O'Donovan and Declan McDonogh after Light Up The Dark won the Racing Again Tomorrow Handicap. Pic: Healy Racing Photo.
Joseph O’Brien dominated Gowran Parks’ first flat merting of the new season when recording a 131/1 treble, highlighted by the impressive victory of once-raced Kingman filly Sinmara in the nine-furlong fillies maiden.
A very promising third on her sole juvenile start at the Curragh, the 5/4 favourite sat in second position before challenging early in the straight and in front well over a furlong out, she powered clear to slam well-backed newcomer Rayzera by six lengths.
“Ours are needing a run, but that was very impressive,” acknowledged O’Brien.
“She had a really good debut run and we’ve always liked her a lot. She went through the race and went to the line very well today. ‘The ‘Athasi’ (at the Curragh on May 4) was the race that popped into my mind after the race, or a trip to Chester. But she’ll probably stick to a mile for now, so that will mean the Athasi.”
Joey Sheridan, who partnered Sinmara, completed a personal double and provided Carriganog with the middle leg of the treble when Sindria (12/1) proved best in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap, leading home stable-companion Greydreambeliever, on her stable debut.
“She used to be a bit of a hard puller, but relaxed well today, and Joey gave her a nice ride,” said O’Brien.
“She finished her race well and we’ll see what the handicapper does. But you’d hope that she’s. a filly to step into black type races.”
The O’Brien treble was completed when the JP McManus-owned Light Up The Dark, having her first run since August, travelled through the finale the Racing Again Tomorrow Handicap like a dream under Declan McDonogh, cruised on the home-turn and stayed on to beat Zanahiyr.
“She’s a nice filly and had some good form,’ stated the winning trainer.
“She went through the race well and deserves to step up in class, probably into a premier handicap of some sort. She handles most types of ground, but not too quick. And she’ll be going over hurdles sooner rather than later.”
The meeting opened with a convincing victory for the Aidan O’Brien-trained Neolithic (10/11 favourite), dropping in class following a creditable third in the recent ‘Gladness’ (listed) at the Curragh.
Wayne Lordan’s mount asserted early in the straight before beating once-raced Greek Mythology by three and a quarter lengths.
O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong commented: “He had a lovely run in the ‘Gladness’ and went up a fair bit in the ratings. He came out of the race well and this race popped up, an ideal race for him on the way to the ‘Tetrarch’ (at the Curragh on May 4).
“Wayne said he hit the line strongly. And he should improve another bit when he gets better ground.”
Gelded since last season, the Noel Meade-trained Bobby McGee (Adam Caffrey) took the seven-furlong median auction maiden at the expense of Jamestown, prompting his trainer to comment: “He was a cheeky colt, and gelding has been a big help.
"His form was good and I was happy he’d handle that ground as he has big feet. We’ll see what the handicapper thinks. But he looks a nice horse and won’t have a problem going a mile.”
Back to his best, 125-rated hurdler Matt Connor (Colin Keane) justified 11/4 favouritism in the Save 33% Buying Tickets Online Handicap, proving too strong for Justenzia.
His trainer Philip Dempsey confirmed: “He’s on his way to the final of the Albert Bartlett Series at Punchestown and this race fitted in lovely.
"He’s small but jumps great. He has issues – he had a pelvic injury at one stage and he’s a box-walker and wind-sucker, so you have to manage him.”
