Winners in Waterford, Clonmel and Kilkenny

WITH ENNISCORTHY closed for January, owners are on their travels again and with great success too, with winners at Waterford, Clonmel and Kilkenny.

Wexford owner Garry Murphy has enjoyed a couple of nice wins back-to-back at Waterford over the Christmas period.

On December 28 The Old Boy showed a good A1/0 field a clean pair of paws and held off the persistent challenges to score a snug win in the end. It was his lucky 13th race win and he is proving a great servant.

The Eamonn Doyle (Ballindag- gin)-owned Monbeg Bakayoko followed up his second round win in the All About Ya Unraced Stake when putting up another fine display.

He took his third round heat by a clear five-length margin to end his 2018 season in great style, making it two wins from three races in a good time of 28.74.

Unfortunately, Monbeg was crowded on the run to the first bend in his semi-final on Saturday night and finished fourth, but he could still get into this week’s final via the first reserve route as the fastest loser.

Several finals were decided on the night, and the Helen Morris (Rosslare Har- bour)-owned Leamaneight Fort, trained by husband Vincent, followed up his semi-final win when taking the final of the Track Supporters’ A4 Stake in a good 29.09. He has now won eleven times and is running as well as ever.

The sport in Waterford had a first on a recent Thursday morning, with S.I.S. racing getting under way at 8.10 a.m., and it remains to be seen how this will work out in the long term for the sport.

Owner Raymond O’Sullivan from Carrigbyrne had the pleasure of winning the first race as his Tyncoon Rita got up in the closing stages to grab the money. It was her 15th career win and she has been another great servant for her owner.

The David Jordan (Wexford town)owned Archaton Mia put up a nice performance when winning race ten, taking up the running early on and finishing as a clearcut winner in a good 28.71. She should have a good year as she will be in her prime, having just gone two.

Enniscorthy owner Tommy Woods made the journey to Clonmel and scored a good win with his Lord Of Light just after Christmas also. No doubt there will be some Co. Wexford runners in the Clonmel festival of racing in the coming weeks.