IRISH Oaks fourth Elizabeth Jane (2/1 favourite) returned to form to record a first stakes success in the Thomas’s Of Foxrock ‘Jim And Kathleen Murphy’ Memorial Trigo Stakes.
Settled in mid-division by Chris Hayes, Moyglare Stud Farm’s filly made headway on the outer in the straight and led inside the final furlong to beat Layfayette by a length and three-quarters.
Trainer Dermot Weld said of the daughter of Dubawi: “She deserved that win, she’s a very talented filly. That was only her fourth run of the year, she ran fourth in the Irish Oaks and ran a very good race.
“Things didn’t go right for her in the Blandford on the day, but since then she’s been working very well and I was reasonably confident she’d win today.”
“I think a mile and a half will prove to be her best trip and we’ll try and win a Group 1 with her next year.”
One to look forward to
The 2/1 favourite Norwalk Havoc made all to land the Bahrain Turf Club Knockaire Stakes under Shane Foley.
Trained by Jessica Harrington for Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd, the Showcasing gelding had all his rivals in trouble early in the straight and was ridden out to beat Uncanny by three and a half lengths.
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “We’re delighted with him, he really enjoyed that heavy going.
“He ran a great race in the English Cambridgeshire and was just drawn on the wrong side that day. I think he was only beaten a nose on his side. He just had nothing to take him into the race and he ran with real credit.
“It’s great to get that listed win before the end of the season. I don’t think there is anything else for him for the rest of the year, but he stays in training next year and he’s one to look forward to early doors.”
ARCH Enemy (11/1) provided Co Cavan-based Paddy Magee with his biggest success as a trainer, when landing the Bahrain Turf Club October Handicap.
The grey daughter of Alhebayeb was running from 7lb out of the handicap but, having been waited with in mid-division on the inner, she picked up well for young apprentice Julian Pietropaolo.
When the gaps opened in the straight, the pair ran on well to beat Scholarship by a length and a quarter.
Based with Joseph O’Brien, Pietropaolo has now lost his 10lb claim after three winners and it wasn’t the greatest surprise to learn that agent Kevin O’Ryan will henceforth be booking his rides.
In shock
“I’m delighted and a bit in shock to be honest,” said Magee, who trains the five-year-old for the Black Steel Square Syndicate.
“Fergal Harford that’s involved with me, and does all the pre-training, has a share in her and he was keen to go for this race, so I have to give most of the credit to him.
“I thought she might be a little bit outclassed, but he’s been very keen to run her in a good race with a light weight.
“She loves it here and it’s all worked out on the day. Julian got some lovely splits and she was brave. It’s massive for us to win a premier handicap with a small string, it means a lot.”
Title contender
Wayne Hassett secured another important winner in his bid for the champion apprentice title, when the Ciaran Murphy-trained Titanium (9/2) took the Foxrock Cup Handicap.
Hassett got a lovely run up the rail in the straight and his mount went on to beat Orandi by three-parts of a length.
A six-time winner in France, the Zarak gelding is owned by Damian Nolan, D P Kilmurray, Liam Gavin and Kieran Clarke.
“Colin Keane gave him a lovely ride the last day and sort of minded him because he knew he was coming back from a wind-op,” said Murphy.
“Wayne got all the gaps and was very brave on him. I asked him to ride him cold on Colin’s recommendation and he did that.
“There is a premier handicap for him at the Curragh on the last day of the season.”
THE beautifully-bred Finsceal Luas (1/3 favourite) gained valuable winning brackets in the Leopardstown Golf And Driving Range Maiden.
Jim Bolger’s daughter of Camelot and dual Guineas winner Finsceal Beo, owned and bred by Micheal Ryan, led under a furlong out and was pushed out by Declan McDonogh to beat Molto Amichi by a length and a quarter.
Travelling head lad, Ger Flynn said: “Micheal and Jim have been very patient with her and that’s paid off today. I think that could be it for the year and that they’ll bring her back next year as a four-year-old.”
Master Dunraven (8/1) took the Christmas Festival Tickets On Sale Now Handicap under Ben Coen. Bryan Murphy’s Mastercraftsman gelding was in mid-division turning for home, but picked up well to beat Gibbs Island by a length and a quarter.
Trainer Johnny Murtagh said: “Ben knows how to ride him. He’s a horse that you have to let find his feet early and he comes home very strong.
Future jumper
“I think his future will lie jumping. He’s on the market and should make a decent jumper. He’s got a bit of size and scope and he handles that ground well.”
Pimstrel (5/1) followed up her Bellewstown success to land the seven-furlong handicap for Drogheda trainer George Kingston.
Rory Mulligan’s mount missed a beat at the start, but soon tracked the pace and led over a furlong out to beat Speckled Meadow by a length and a half.
Kingston, who owns the eight-year-old mare himself, said: “That’s her last run of the year, she loves the heavy ground and is not for the all-weather.
“Rory is a topper. He’s very sensible, always has a plan in his head and comes up with his own ideas.”