Codd claims second title
Super year for Mayglass man
CONGRATULATIONS to Jamie Codd on winning the Annual HRI Point to Point Award for this year, Barry O’Neill being one of the other four nominees.
Codd beat O’Neill to lift his second national jockeys title, and again had winners at both Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, as well as a first win at the Galway Festival.
The Wexford point to point focus on Sunday was on the Carlow Farmers Meeting at Borris House and it was a special day for trainers Cormac Doyle, who had his first winner between the flags, and for Michael Goff who recorded a double.
Cormac is the third of the Doyle brothers to enter the winners enclosure, following in the footsteps of Donnchadh (joint champion trainer two years ago) and Sean. Cormac and Sean operate from separate premises in the home place at Monbeg, Ballindaggin, while Donnchadh has his extensive facilities just a couple of miles away. Sounds like a dynasty in the making!
There was a big entry and three races were divided, giving a nine-race card. Doyle’s big moment came in the first 4 year old mares maiden with Lady Avery (Westerner-Bobs Article), making most under Rob James (Killanne) and pulling nicely clear of Seamus Neville’s (Bridgetown) Cheltenham Mati and Mark Scallan.
Shane Fitzgerald is from Buttevent in Cork but works mostly with Michael Goff at Clondaw, Ferns, and he had a treble on the day, two of them for Goff in both divisions of the four year old geldings’ maiden. The first of these was Fabulous Saga (Saint Des Saints- Fabalina) for Dick Frisby who romped clear and was never in danger of being caught.
They followed up with Clondaw Rigger (Stowaway-Daytona Lily) for Michael Redmond who was left clear when main rival, Minella Encore, fell at the second last. Fitzgerald’s other winner was Dahills Hill for Ken Budds in Div. 2 of the mares four year old maiden.
Champion rider, Jamie Codd, got on the board in the five year old mares maiden on Shanklys Dawn for Tinahely handler, Philip Rothwell, helped by Barry O’Neill’s departure on Cloudy Day. The geldings’ version went to Liam Kenny, Ballydarragh, Craanford with Swift Crusador (Kayf Tara-Goldenswift), ridden by Harley Dunne – just reward as the horse was second in his previous two runs.
Barry O’Neill rescued a frustrating day in the ninth race when he won an older maiden on Barossa Pearl for Paudie Coffey from Nenagh, thus maintaining his lead of five over Jamie Codd in the championship.
There was no Wexford impact in the second meeting of the day at Boulta, Co. Cork.
The Killinick Harriers close the pre-Christmas part of the season at Lingstown on Sunday with their meeting re-scheduled from Nov. 20, and it should be a big day as they have the entire stage to themselves this weekend. Racing starts at noon and you can anticipate a long and exciting day.