THE rags-to-riches story of Big Gossey added another important chapter when the veteran grey gelding recorded an eighth course win at his favourite track in the Listed Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes.
The Karl Burke-trained raider Poet Master (13/8 favourite) bounced out of stalls to make the running; however, the distress signals were out a quarter of a mile from home and Billy Lee soon sent Big Gossey to the front. The 7/1 shot kept on gamely in the closing stages to hold Camille Pissarro by half a length with Officer the same distance further back in third.
The eight-year-old gelding’s previous victories at the venue include three Premier Handicaps and his career earnings are now just short of €500,000.
“When he arrived in the door, I didn’t think he’d ever be doing this,” said Charles O’Brien, who trains the grey gelding for the Allegro Syndicate. “A Gutaifan with no pedigree of any description – a box walker, a cribber and a horrible horse to deal with in the stable but that’s the way it works!
Battle-hardened
“We knew he was fit and an eight-year-old on that ground against three-year-olds, it doesn’t matter how much weight they are getting it’s very hard for younger horses to take on a battle-hardened one like him. Gary O’Brien, who leads him up, does 90% of the work with him. He doesn’t need a lot of work, but Gary does different things to keep him happy.”
ADRIAN Murray added another juvenile maiden win to the one here on the opening day of the flat season when 9/4 favourite Miami Destination showed good pace throughout under Wayne Lordan to land the Shouldvebeenaring, New For 2025 At The Irish National Stud Irish EBF Maiden.
The Giselle de Aguiar-owned daughter of Ten Sovereigns rallied strongly after being headed in the final furlong to beat Oh Cecelia by a neck. There was drama beforehand with both Joyful Tidings and Smart Sioux withdrawn after bolting on the way to the start.
Murray said, “We knew going out that she’d have no bother going six or seven (furlongs) down the road. Wayne said she needed a bit of company, and she won well at the line. The (soft) ground wouldn’t have been an issue for us and we’ll probably find a stakes race back here in May.”
Joyful Tidings’ trainer Gavin Cromwell had better fortune later on with J M’s Joy in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3YO Spring Series Median Auction Fillies Maiden. The 11/2 chance was fit from the all-weather at Dundalk and, like many winners on the afternoon, was up with the pace throughout before keeping on well under Gary Carroll to beat Adrienne by a length and a half.
“It wasn’t the plan to make the running, and I thought she was going a fair gallop,” said Cromwell.
“Over the trip I wasn’t sure whether she’d stay but she was gutsy, and she did. It’s a nice pot to win.”
O’Brien and McMonagle double
Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle teamed up for a double on the card with Mathan and Leinster. Mathan went one better than on his reappearance here on the opening day of the campaign when taking the Follow @Toteracing On X Maiden.
The 1/2 favourite was prominent throughout and took control inside the final furlong to beat Dmaniac by three and a quarter lengths.
O’Brien said: “He ran well the last day, and it looked that seven would suit him well. It’s nice to have a smart colt for Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler, two lovely people who have supported me well over the years. He’ll probably be rated in the mid-80s, and I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say that he might end up in stakes races eventually.”
Leinster defied topweight in the 12-furlong Tote.ie Handicap, making all and taking control from over a furlong out to beat Bear Profit by two and a half lengths.
“He had a setback after his previous run and missed the end of the season, but the Al Shira’aa team were happy to be patient and hopefully he can be a progressive stayer now. I think stamina won’t be an issue to him,” said O’Brien of the 9/2 favourite.
TWO Stars progressed well in soft-ground sprints last year and justified good support with conditions to suit on his reappearance in the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap. The 85/40 favourite broke well and was quite keen early on for Joey Sheridan but impressed when quickening clear in the final 150 yards to beat Betsen by two and three-quarter lengths.
“He’s improving with age,” said Fozzy Stack, who trains the son of Starspangledbanner for Anne Gaffney and Liam Butler. “He’s just one of those late maturing sprinters that is filling into himself the whole time. He will probably have to go up in class now, so he could go for one of those races at Naas, either side of Punchestown.”
Curragh specialist
Indigo Five (3/1) confirmed the promise of her fourth in the Lincoln here on the opening day of the turf season when landing the Tote Guarantee Available On Course Handicap, worth €35,000. Never far from the pace, she kept on well in the closing stages under Wesley Joyce to beat Akecheta by a length and a half. “She won well and is a tough mare. It’s nice to win another handicap up the Curragh with her,” said Johnny Feane, who trains the six-year-old for Ray McSharry.
“She is probably listed class, but we might take in another handicap before that. She has won on good ground to heavy ground so is very versatile and might get a mile and a quarter as she’s getting a bit stronger.”
Improvement expected
Pickersgill also showed good speed throughout to land the Visit The Irish National Stud & Gardens Maiden, keeping on gamely inside the final furlong to hold off Kilmood Susan by three quarters of a length. “Robbie (Colgan) said she wasn’t doing a tap out in front and then she spooked at the 200 yards yellow marker. She then picked up and went on again,” said Sheila Lavery who trains the 4/1 winner for her brother, John.
“I think she’s an awful lot better than what she showed there. She was a bit fresh and buzzy there on her first run (of the year) and I think she will keep improving.” The winner is another by Starspangledbanner.