APPRENTICE Adam Caffrey rode out his claim in style with a 356/1 double on the Polytrack on Friday evening. Albion Power was first up in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Maiden and he attracted support throughout the day from as big as 80/1 to an SP of 16/1.
This son of Slade Power was ridden in fifth a quarter of a mile from home and stayed on in second a furlong down. He challenged Colugo in the closing stages and soon led on his way to a half-length success for Karl Davis and Phoenix Bloodstock Syndicate.
Trainer Keith Clarke said: “He had been working really well at home, I have been very happy with the way he is working.
“When you have a lad (Caffrey) like that there that knows the track, it is unbelievable. It is nice to give a horse over to someone and let them do their work - that’s their job and I’ve done mine. It is his first ride for me and it is a good one. First of many I hope!”
Exquisite
The double came up on 20/1 shot Exquisite Acclaim in the SIS, Supporting Irish Racing Handicap over a mile. The six-year-old gelding led upon breaking from the stalls, but was soon settled tracking the pace.
He improved to dispute the lead two furlongs out and led with a furlong to go. He stuck to his task to defeat a staying-on Final Voyage by three-quarters of a length for Thomas J O’Connor and Ms Hazel McGuinness.
Ado McGuinness said: “He’s (Caffrey) going to have to improve 3lb next week! He had no pony racing experience before he came into my place. I think it is just over three years since he started to ride and he has passed out a lot of guys on the way.
“In all fairness to the young fella, he deserves everything he has got. I think he will hold his own as a pro. He will have all the support of mine and my owners.”
Conan on the mend
McGuinness was also in double-winning form as Clonmacash rewarded favourite backers in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap.
He travelled well for Sam Coen and caught the eye in fourth a furlong and a half down. Coen brought the 3/1 favourite to challenge at the furlong pole and the pair went on their way to strike by two and a-half lengths for owners Mark Devlin and Ms Hazel McGuinness..
The trainer said: “We told him (Coen) to wait tonight and he certainly did, fair play to him. He is a very good kid to ride. It is great for Conan Faulkner who works for me, he had a big operation a couple of weeks back and he is here tonight. He is on the mend which is brilliant.”
ADRIAN Murray maintained his good form in Dundalk when the 103-rated California Dreamer easily justified 1/6 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over a mile.
Wayne Lordan sent him on after a furlong and his mount asserted racing towards the final furlong.
She proved different class to the opposition in drawing five and a half lengths clear for Amo Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar.
Murray said: “She has strengthened up and has trained on. She definitely will improve plenty. Yes, it will be (seven furlongs to a mile in Pattern races this year).
“She has all the big-race entries, so we will sit down and talk and see what Ryan (McElligott), Kia (Joorabchian) and Robson (Aguiar) say.”
Another one
Murray supplied another odds-on favourite in Carolina Jetstream in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Rated Race and she stamped her authority on the contest.The Pinatubo filly shed her maiden tag over a mile at Dundalk in November which saw her go off 4/5 for this step up in trip to an extended 10-furlongs.
She was close to the pace and Billy Lee kicked on approaching the final furlong. She was far from extended in hitting the line two and a quarter lengths to the good for AMO Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar.
Murray said: “Billy said she picked up very, very well. She will probably go for a Group 3 at Leopardstown over a mile and two furlongs next.”
DARKENED was another wide-margin winner in the DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap. Darragh O’Sullivan guided the strong traveller to the front and the nine-year-old gelding stretched away by four and a quarter lengths at 6/1 for owner John B O’Hagan.
Afterwards, Noel Kelly commented on new horizons for his stable: “We flew out to Cheltenham this morning and bought a couple of horses, nicer horses that we didn’t have the money to spend on before. It would be nice to go for a ‘Saturday’ horse to try and get a name for yourself.”
The always-prominent Sporting Hero (11/2) Kept on well to pip Big Gossey by a head in the Racing TV Club Day Handicap for the Winning Chance Syndicate.
Denis Hogan’s five-year-old gelding brought up a second career success for 10lb claimer Alan Casey who said: “He stayed on well and he was travelling the whole way. I’m in with Denis and am finishing school this year.
“I’d be up to Denis on weekends and any holidays. I’m going to try and do this and see how it goes.”
There was a thrilling finish to the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap as Sir Callisto (2/1) clung on by a nose over Theophilos after a battle in the final furlong.
After Seamie Heffernan returned on the winner, trainer Tony Martin said: “It was a good run the last day (in fourth). It is great that he won for Seamus Ross, he’s had a terrible run of luck.”