Rebel Moon rising as Joseph O’Brien on the double at Gowran Park
Cathy O'Farrell with Kieran Lalor of Al Shira'aa Racing after Rebel Moon won the Irish Injured Jockeys Fillies Maiden. Pic: Healy Racing Photo
In-form Joseph O’Brien followed-up Wednesday’s treble at the track when striking on the double with Lunar Tide and Rebel Moon in Gowran Park, providing jockey Joey Sheridan with his second double in as many days.
O’Brien saddled 7/4 favourite Johhanna Walsh for the Irish Injured Jockeys Fillies Maiden but, after Declan McDonogh’s mount held every chance, she had to settle for third spot behind £500,000 debutante stable-companion Rebel Moon, in the colours of Al Sihra’aa Racing.
The winning trainer admitted, “I thought she’d be green first time out around here. She’s a well-bred filly and was well-bought. I was impressed when Joey asked her to quicken.” And, when quizzed about plans for the Lope De Vega filly, he responded, “The ‘Salsabil’ will come too soon for her, so she’s more likely to head for the Cheshire Oaks.”
Earlier, Joey Sheridan made all on once-raced Lunar Tide in the Follow Gowran Park On Insta Maiden, finding enough in the closing stages to beat Sir Aston by a length and a quarter.
O’Brien stated, “Joey gave him a nice ride. He’s a horse that went through his race nicely in Dundalk, but didn’t finish it out, so we were happy to come back to a mile with him, although he’ll probably step-up again at some stage.
“I’d say he’s a better horse on the grass and should be progressive. There’s a ‘winners of one’ at the end of the month, which might suit him, before he goes handicapping.”
The other three-year-old maiden on the card, the Gowran Park Racing Club maiden, was dominated by newcomers as Jack Davison’s Rebel Ascendant (4/1) got the better of the Sonny Carey-trained Goodmenaremissed, with Ballydoyle colt Kepler third.
“He’s a classy horse and it’s rare for one of mine to win first time out,” said Davison. “He’s a big, angular, unfurnished colt, so there should be plenty of improvement in him.
“Credit to James (Ryan) – he gave him a good education, took a lead and wheeled out to get a clear run up the straight. He was very green, but he should learn plenty. He’s entered for the Gowran Classic (on June 1)and might come back here for that.”
The featured Gowrpark.ie Handicap went to the Bill Durkan-trained 14/1 shot Holy See, who overcame front-running favourite Rock Of Ireland by three-quarters of a length.
The winner, whose only previous flat success came in France (Pornichet), had scored in a handicap hurdle at Limerick’s Christmas meeting and hadn’t been seen since January.
Top-weight Holy See provided apprentice Jamie Orr with his third winner, ending his 10lb. claim. And he commented, “The Durkans have been very good to me, so It’s nice to give them a winner.
“This was his first flat run for us. He’s been working well and my instructions were to go out and let him enjoy himself. The race panned out nicely and he won well.”
The Thomastown Maiden, for older horses, produced the shock of the day as Purple Moon (80/1) swept clear to land the spoils convincingly for Wexford trainer Pat O’Rourke and apprentice Jimmy Dalton.
“He’s a good horse,” stated a delighted O’Rourke, “He was too free the first day (at the Curragh), when I thought he might finish in the first four. He’ll get further. And he’s for sale.”
And Gillian Scott, based in Ballingarry, County Limerick, was responsible for a 1-2 in the (0-60) Racing Again April 22nd Handicap as Starting Monday (Donagh O’Connor), recording his first success since 2021, held the late effort of Khormor Syd (Billy Lee).
