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Mullins keep hot streak going at Wexford
THE Gowran yard of Tony Mullins has been on fire for the fast number of weeks and the winning run continued when Battling Boru ran out a comfortable winner of Friday's bumper at Wexford in the hands of stable amateur Pa Murphy.
Having only his third career start the son of Brian Boru was a warm order in the betting market on the back of a promising Limerick effort. He was always close to the pace before taking over in the straight and drawing away to win impressively by four lengths from Quenzo Pierji.
This was a display that certainly set the tongues wagging. A few shrewd judges of my acquaintance have pencilled in the winner as one to keep on the right side in the coming months. Described by Mullins as having a lot to learn, Battling Boru will not be rushed. Connections will plot his career carefully, but on this evidence he has a big future.
Shark Hanlon is also enjoying a good run and he was on hand to greet One For Joules after the Choisir filly landed the extended mile and two claiming race.
Easy enough to back One For Joules raced in mid division early on but made good progress to lead a furlong and a half out. The winner ran on - in spite of her jockey losing his whip - to take the money by a couple of lengths from Walter De La Mare.
Although failing to reach the frame in ten outings up to now the winner showed that she possesses plenty of ability and is capable of scoring again another such contest.
Well-bred
If proof was needed of how hard it is to win a race one need only look at trainers like Jim Bolger, Kevin Prendergast and Dermot Weld, who all sent well-bred fillies to compete on this tight circuit in an effort to gain a bracket which would enhance their stud careers.
All three trainers were represented in the opening mile and half a furlong fillies maiden and it was Weld who landed the spoils with Treasure The Cross which made every post a winning one to beat the Prendergast runner Saajidah by three lengths. Sporting first time blinkers the daughter of Cape Cross had finished second in her previous couple of outings - now that she has shed her maiden tag it takes the pressure off for connections.
Niall 'Boots' Madden, one of the finest amateur riders of his day, has long since turned his attentions to training. He combined with his son Niall - also known as 'Slippers' - to take the two mile and a furlong beginners chase with Salesin.
A consistent sort, the Lomitas gelding was a winner over hurdles at Cork on his previous outing. He showed a decided reluctance to start but once in the race he took over before half way and comfortably made the rest to beat Ireland's Call by seven lengths.
Considering how much ground he lost at the start this must rate as a good performance by Salesin. Provided he mends his wayward ways he looks a decent novice chaser in the making.
Controversial outcome
There was a somewhat controversial outcome to the two mile and six furlong handicap chase when Hattons Wood shaded the verdict over Old Hall by a short head. Hattons Wood came off a straight line on the run in, taking Old Hall with him and the steward deemed that he improved his position and so reversed the placings. It was case of six of one and half a dozen the other, as the decision could have gone either way - connections of Hattons Wood will feel aggrieved at the outcome.
Three Friars Cross, which lies between Inistioge and Mullinavat, was certainly put on the map at Limerick on Thursday evening when Moon Dice which is owned by a syndicate of the same name landed a monster gamble in the opening maiden hurdle.
Backed at all kinds of fancy prices that morning, the Norwich gelding went to post an 11/2 chance. He made eye-catching progress from off the pace to lead before the straight and stay on strongly to do the business by a length and three parts from Talab.
Off the track since making no show in a Navan maiden hurdle back in December Moon Dice was the subject of a steward's inquiry as to the running and riding tactics on that occasion. His trainer Paul Flynn told the steward that his charge was weak and needed time as well as better ground.
That evidence proved spot on as the five-year-old left his Navan form well behind and according to Flynn is potentially the best horse in his stable. To add to the success story Moon Dice was bred by James Aylward, who is also a member of the winning syndicate.
Kilmoganny rider Conor O'Farrell was seen to good effect when landing Strongpoint a narrow winner of the conditions chase. O'Farrell gave the Bob Back gelding a breather on the last circuit, then hit the front again before the straight where he battled well to see off the challenge of Lucky At Last by half a length.
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Weather for Kilkenny
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
