DAVID Geary is hoping Deo Vero can make up into a stakes performer after she struck at Roscommon on Monday evening.
The Elzaam filly had met traffic in running on her debut at the Curragh, finishing ninth, and showed the benefit of that experience in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden.
Chris Hayes was towards the rear early in the seven-furlong contest before producing his charge with a strong surge going to the furlong marker.
The 7/2 shot got on top in the last 100 yards and recorded a cosy half length success over Green Triangle.
“I’m delighted with that. We thought the last day was a lovely introduction, even though she didn’t get the breaks. I couldn’t have asked for a better day out,” said Geary, who trains the filly for Stacey Fitzgibbon.
“I don’t think she’s too bad, she’s been working well at home. I was wondering today if we were going to get going at all, Chris says she’s still a bit green, but I’m very happy with that.
“I think there is a winners’ of one in Leopardstown in the middle of June and we’ll see how that goes. The plan is to try and hopefully get a bit of blacktype.”
Total Look is another horse with his future ahead of him after getting off the mark in the JTW Distribution Roscommon Maiden for Gavin Cromwell and Gary Carroll.
The Cloth Of Stars gelding was prominent throughout in the 10-furlong contest and then battled back when headed by It’sonlyjustbegun a furlong out, going on late on to score by a length and a half.
“He had a nice draw and he went forward, it was grand,” said Cromwell, who trains the grey for Brendan Rogers.
“I was a little bit concerned that a mile and a quarter on that ground would be a little bit sharp for him but he made plenty of use of him and he was good and gutsy in the last 100 yards. I think he’ll continue to improve.”
Carroll was completing a double on the card having also landed the opening claimer on board the Ger Lyons-trained Alto Sax.
The Saxon Warrior gelding led a furlong out to beat Zenato, by a length and three quarters, in the seven-furlong contest and record his first win for owner David Spratt.
Assistant Shane Lyons said of the 13/2 winner: “It’s not before time. He wants that ground or better, he hops off it.”
There were no claims after the race.
GRANITE Bay made it two from two in handicap company when swooping inside the final furlong to claim the concluding mile-and-a-half handicap.
The 10/3 shot had won at Cork 10 days previously and repeated the dose for trainer Jarlath Fahey and owner Sarah Collins.
Ronan Whelan’s mount took a few strides to get going in the straight but picked up well in the last 100 yards to beat Solar Drive by a length.
“It’s great that he followed up. We were a bit concerned about the ground, we were hoping for a few showers during the day and were debating about whether we’d run him or not,” said Fahey.
“Ronan said he’s comfortable on good ground but we just feel that he’s a horse that would like to get his toe in.
“He is a bit big and immature yet. He’s after having two quick runs so we won’t be looking for anything immediately. We’ll freshen him up a little bit, it’s a long season ahead of us.”
Sixpack goes one better
In the preceding handicap over the same trip Sixpack went one place better on his return to the venue.
The Johnny Murtagh-trained gelding had been runner-up at the track a week previously and the 10/3 shot made no mistake this time.
Ben Coen produced his mount to lead passing the two pole and he stayed on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-three-quarters success over Ameerat Jumaira.
Coen said: “He was good, it probably suited a bit better today as we went a nicer gallop.
“I got the gaps when I needed them and he hit the line strong.
“I think nicer ground is a help to him as well and hopefully he can step forward from that.”
RIVER Derwent was another to perform better a week later at the track when taking the seven-furlong handicap for Thomas Coyle.
James Ryan’s mount missed the kick but rattled home to lead inside the final furlong and record a cosy two-and-a-half length win over Breezy Zoff.
“He probably should have won last week, he was left 15 lengths. I really fancied him last week, to be honest, and to finish where he did was an unbelievable run,” said Coyle of the 16/1 winner.
“I took the tongue-tie off today, he was still a bit slow away, but I think that might have helped.
“I’m delighted for Donal (Byrne), he’s a new owner to the yard and it’s great to have him.”
Ger O’Leary struck for the second Monday running at the venue when Sea Eagle flew home to land the Abbey Hotel Handicap over 10 furlongs.
Jack Cleary held the 6/1 shot up in the early stages and produced him with a rattling finish on the outer to lead close home and beat Theophilos by a neck.
“We weren’t sure about the trip and told Jack to ride him cold. Three runners coming out of the race as well was a help as well traffic-wise,” said O’Leary.
“Jack gave him a lovely ride. It opens options for us now from seven furlongs to a mile and two. We’re delighted.
“We’ve no massive plans, we’ll just look for another nice handicap. A lot of the boys in the (Purosangue) syndicate are here tonight so I’m delighted for them as well.”