BILLY Lee was in flying form at Down Royal on Friday evening as he rode a treble with two of the winners supplied by Jack Davison. Lee and Davison were quickly into stride in the opening Tote Guarantee Available On Course & Tote.ie Maiden over five furlongs.
Shamrock Breeze, the 6/5 favourite, soon led from stall five and blitzed her rivals when keeping on strongly by three and a quarter lengths for Shamrock Thoroughbreds.
The jockey said: “She jumped grand, she wasn’t hitting the lids, but she’s very good into stride and she took me forward. Jack just said ‘don’t disappoint her’ so I let her go to the front. When she did get to the front, she came back to me and raced really economically.
“Once I got to the bend, and I gave her a kick and she picked up, I knew she was going to be hard to pass. She loved the ground and she will probably be chasing blacktype now.”
Obliging
Another favourite obliged for Davison and Lee in race two - the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap over the minimum trip.
The Quality Time Racing Syndicate-owned She’s Quality (7/4) tracked the pace and was sent to the front over a furlong from home. She was well in charge in the closing stages as she came in by two and three-quarter lengths.
Lee said: “I know she has been placed in a listed race, but those sprinters take a bit of time to learn the job properly. She was very professional today, jumped and just followed the leaders and lobbed along. She quickened well, she’s different class to them. Hopefully, she is a filly that will keep progressing the older she gets. She’s a fine big strong filly and she loves fast ground.”
Treble secured
Lee’s treble was secured aboard Keke in the G Dunlop Electrical Handicap over five furlongs.
The 9/4 favourite raced towards the rear and Lee had to weave a path through in the final quarter of a mile. The pair got on terms with Cuban Grey inside the final furlong and finished best of all to get up by a neck for Wood Hall Stud Limited.
Trainer Eddie Lynam said: “It wouldn’t be the simplest track to ride this lad on. You got to take your time early because he would get keen. It worked out well and we got the right result. On another day he could have been fifth or sixth. He might improve a pound or two, I hope.”
THERE were emotional scenes in the parade ring after Wesley Joyce made all on Red Heel (11/2) in the Pravha Handicap over seven furlongs for owner Aidan Archdeacon.
Joyce suffered a serious fall from Red Heel at Galway almost two years ago and trainer Michael Mulvany was delighted to see the pair reunited for a victory: “That’s the horse that Wesley got hurt on, so it is great to see her back. It is all behind him now, but it is just nice to come back and win on her and prove that it is all over. Hopefully, it will be onwards and upwards for him.
She’s back
“The filly was moved from our yard and came back this year and Wesley looks after her every day. It was just one of those things on the day. Now that she has got her head back in front, you never know.
“He is based with me full-time again, he came back about two months ago. He’s a good young fella and he does his best. He’s probably not just the finished article yet, but we will knock the corners off him! I think he has the makings of being a jockey.”
Total domination
Blue Wood dominated his rivals with an all-the-way victory in the Laura Nicholas Memorial Handicap and brought up a double for Joyce.
The 8/1 shot was ridden clear over a furlong out and swept in by a more than comfortable three and a quarter lengths for owner Peadar Kelly.
Trainer Kevin Smith said: “He has shown plenty of ability since I got him and delighted to see him do it at the track. He finished out well and very happy with him, he looked game and genuine.”
COMEIN Comein (4/1 joint-favourite) won from the front under Gavin Ryan in the Willwego.com Handicap over five furlongs.
The Prince Of Lir gelding was always holding Emerald Harmony and took the honours by half a length for owner/trainer Diego Dias.
Ryan said: “Today, everyone was kind of happy enough to take a lead off me. I got out good and smart and was able to get across to the rail which is a huge help around here.
“I was able to save, save, save coming down over the road, and once I committed he was good and tough. If anything, he has probably got a little lonely the last furlong and just looked for a little bit of company.”
Testimonial victory
Iowntheball gave owner/trainer Kevin Prendergast a juvenile winner in the SBD Events Pro Median Auction Maiden.
The 9/4 favourite travelled well in second two furlongs out and led a furlong and a half down. He stayed on well for Gary Halpin to post a length-and-a-half success.
“Good to ride the boss a two-year-old winner, he’s a good sort and still very raw. He was bought in a February sale, so for him to achieve what he has achieved today is a testament to his ability,” Halpin said.