TALENTED apprentice Wayne Hassett was the toast of Ballybrit on Tuesday when notching the biggest winner of his career aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Mexicali Rose in the feature €120,000 Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap.
Mexicali Rose (12-1) and @Waynehassett11 dazzle in the @ColmQuinn_bmw Mile Handicap, the feature race on day two of the @Galway_Races Festival ??
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2024
Happy days, for @kevinblake2011 and @JosephOBrien2 ?? pic.twitter.com/rS5jqCjTMv
The 5lb claimer got a dream run through on his 12/1 chance, who carried the colours of prominent racing pundit Kevin Blake. She dug in well to edge out Jessica Harrington’s 14/1 shot Norwalk Havoc by a neck.
A frantic pace can typically be expected in the day-two highlight, but the fractions were not overly taxing this time around, and a move in the early stages from the 18-year-old rider proved particularly astute. Having broken slightly slow, he allowed the Zoffany filly to roll closer to the pace and avoided any traffic issues as a result.
“She came up the hill lovely and flew through them without a bother,” said Hassett.
“I’d like to thank Joseph for giving me the ride on her again. He gave me loads of confidence going out, we broke a little slow but they went a good gallop and that's what she needed. Wherever I pointed her she went, she fought her way through and really came up the hill.
??? "I certainly heard the crowd today!"@Waynehassett11 revels in the biggest victory of his short career aboard Mexicali Rose, who showed a proper shift of gear in the @ColmQuinn_bmw Mile Handicap @Galway_Races ??@JosephOBrien2 | @kevinblake2011 | @irishkor pic.twitter.com/5PXqQ93QOr
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2024
“They went a little too slow for her last time at Gowran [when sixth] as she wants a good pace and further. Everything went perfect today and she might improve again.
“I'm delighted to get this win under my belt and thanks to Joseph and Kevin Blake. I came up thinking I had a good chance and, thank God, she won.”
The well-bought 42,000gns purchase at last year’s Tattersalls December Mares Sale could be set for a quick return to Ballybrit on Thursday, having also been declared for the Listed Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes.
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