A TREBLE for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane was highlighted by the battling success of Mutasarref in the feature BoyleSports Ballycorus Stakes.
Sent off the clear 5/4 favourite for this Group 3 contest, the Eleanora Kennedy-owned six-year-old was settled behind the leaders before improving to the front over a furlong from home.
Soon strongly pressed by Special Wan, the pair had a great scrap inside the final furlong, with just a head between them at the line.
“He’s a legend. In his own grade around here he’s brilliant,” Lyons enthused.
“That’s the same one-two from Naas (the Owenstown Stud Stakes) and I thought the filly was going to have him today. The secret is to keep him in his own company as he tries so hard.”
Opening leg
The Glenburnie handler and his stable jockey had earlier claimed the opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden, with Transcending easily justifying even-money favouritism.
A close fourth over the course and distance the previous week, Keane kept it simple on the David Spratt, Sean Jones and Lynne Lyons-owned bay, making all and eventually coming home five and a half lengths to the good.
“She wasn’t on our list at the sales but kept catching our eye. She has a gorgeous head and is a great walker,” Lyons stated.
“We’ll let her mature now and see where it brings her.”
Completed it
On what was her turf debut, Sumptuary Law completed the three-timer for Lyons and Keane in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
Successful on her fourth start at Dundalk in December, the Holy Roman Emperor three-year-old was sent to post an easy-to-back 11/1 chance (from 5s).
Settled behind the leaders, the Cian Kennedy-owned three-year-old was involved in a barging match with less than two furlongs to go, as she attempted to come with her challenge between rivals.
Once in the clear, the handicap debutant was pushed along to lead inside the final 200 yards, keeping on well to beat Alabama Calling by half-a-length. I said to Colin the one thing I knew she was, was honest. She’ll get a mile and a quarter and that’s her grade,” Lyons commented.
THE regally bred Duraji gave rise to hopes of brighter days ahead, scoring on his second outing under Chris Hayes in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Out of 2006 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime, the Dermot Weld-trained son of Dubawi is a brother to brilliant four-time Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath.
Settled in second, the 11/4 chance was ridden in pursuit of the front-running Vice President (5/4 favourite) a furlong and a half from home, gradually wearing down that rival inside the final 200 yards before going on to prevail by a head.
Progressive
“He’s a nice colt, he’s progressive. He’s still very immature both mentally and physically, but there is a lot of improvement in this horse,” Weld said of the Jastar Capital Limited-owned victor. “I loved his attitude and I would expect him to be a stakes horse in the future.”
Dream big
Connections of Jancis will also be dreaming big, after she impressively beat her 13-rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
Sent off a 40/1 chance in the colours of Chilean owner/breeder Arturo Cousino, the Tamayuz chestnut raced towards rear under Billy Lee.
She had just two rivals behind with three furlongs to go, but showed an electric turn of foot when ridden on the outer in the straight, sweeping to the front inside the final 100 yards, before eventually coming home two and three quarters of a length to the good.
“She’s a bit nervous and the whole thing about today was to get her started,” winning trainer Willie McCreery divulged.
SHOWING no ill effects from her exertions at Limerick the previous evening, Boadicea Belle (5/1) landed the Leopardstown Golf And Driving Range Handicap.
While she didn’t have much luck in running at Greenmount Park, the Matthew Smith-trained bay was quick away from the stalls in this seven-furlong heat and tracked the leaders under Declan McDonogh.
The five-year-old was ridden to challenge over a furlong from home and soon gained a narrow lead, going on to prevail by half-a-length in the colours of the Yussa Syndicate.
“She didn’t really get much of a run last night. She was declared again today and was fine this morning so we said why not,” Smith disclosed.
“Declan was good and strong on her there and I’m delighted.”
Banned
An inquiry was later held into an incident a furlong from home, where Saffredi was badly checked on the inner when coming with a run. The stewards subsequently found Amy Jo Hayes, rider of Saxon Kingdom, guilty of careless riding and she was hit with a 12-day ban.
No doubt left reeling by that lengthy suspension, Hayes rounded off her day on a high when partnering Silkies Sib (16/1) to victory in the concluding Legacy Wine Bar Handicap.
Keen
Owned and bred by Claire Doyle and trained by her husband Tim, the Cotai Glory chestnut raced keenly in mid-division on the outer, taking closer order approaching the straight.
Ridden in fourth over a furlong from home, he soon came with his effort and led inside the final 100 yards, going on to score by a length and a half, with luckless 5/1 favourite Sheen Falls Time a never nearer second. “It’s a tough combination, two hardy people. He’s not an easy ride and Amy Jo got the best out of him,” the winning handler reflected.
Gift from above
Favourite backers earlier had better fortune in the 1888 Restaurant Handicap, with the Ger O’Leary-trained Guiseppe Cassioli (10/3) coming out on top under Keithen Kennedy.
In the colours of Lance Bloodstock, the Bated Breath seven-year-old was pushed along over a furlong from home and soon picked up well, sweeping to the front inside the final 100 yards before coming home two and a half lengths to the good.
“My father Pa is dead 22 years today and I asked him for a little favour when saddling up. Thankfully he came through,” O’Leary revealed.