Koyote gains the day...
So, after a hiatus of two year’s point to point action returned to Ballynoe on Sunday last with the Gain Mare Final as the centre piece once again.
Since its inception in 1987 the Gain Final has risen to be one of the most prestigious races run within the point-to-point calendar and it is now also the most valuable point’s race run on the island of Ireland carrying a total prize pot of €4,750, with €4,225 to the winner.
With nine declared runners for this year’s event who between them had won no less than fourteen races this season to date there was plenty of quality on show.
The betting market was wide open at the off of this race with the recent Kildorrery maiden winner Kym Eyre from the James Sheehan yard and partnered by Tom Feeney was just shading favouritism at the off trading around the 9/4 mark.
They went a good strong gallop throughout in this contest as you would expect and it was with about half a mile left to race that things began to unfold, up front and longtime leader Fiery Brown (5/2-7/2) under Shane Baragry were joined and headed by Queshi Bridge (7-12) and James Hannon with the recent Ballyarthur winner skipping on by 2 to 3L, rounding the home bend to bring them into the home straight and on to two out, and still Hannon had the call by 2L over the staying on Koyote (6-8) and Michael O’Connor.
Both the main protagonists took this in good style and racing towards the last Queshi Bridge was still holding her nearest challenger and looked set for victory only for the daughter of Shantou crumble on the landing side, her demise gifted the contest to Koyote who galloped right to the line scoring by 2.5L from Fiery Brown, with just a head back to the third placed Carrig Wells (6-10) Danny Fitzgerald whilst our favourite Kym Eyre finished a credible fourth some 4L further back under Tom Feeney.
The winner is trained by Newcastlewest man Terence Leonard for whom this was his first victory in this Gain series, for good measure Terence Leonard’s partner Deirdre Connolly bred and owns the successful 8yr old daughter of Vinnie Roe.
Five horse trainer Leonard was delighted with the success stating “This is a dream come true, I only ever train mares and this was my Olympic final I am just over the moon to be honest, I think this mare is special she is just so honest and gutsy and fair play to Mikey. He was great on her, this win means so much to me and Deirdre along with both Andy Ott and Mike Connors we are a small little team. I have to thank Gain and the Committee here at Ballynoe for their generous sponsorship it is just marvellous, this mare could go to Mallow next on Easter Monday for either a hunter chase or a bumper”.
Michael O’Connor is proving to be “Gain Royalty” at this stage as he was now winning the race in the saddle for the fourth time (joining Eoin Gallagher) and he has also trained a winner of it (joining Eoin Gallagher).
Half an hour prior to the Gain final the very same combination of Terence Leonard and Michael O’Connor also teamed up to land the Coolmore, Liam Geary Garage and Mr Softee Ices sponsored 5yr old and up mare’s maiden with 6/1 shot Country Kitten, also bred and owned by Terence Leonard.
Punters here were caught between two with both La Mystere (3-2) and Lady Kate (5/4-5/2-2) both having their supporters in this twelve-runner contest.
They went a strong gallop here from the outset with the James Hannon partnered Lady Kate at the head of affairs, but shortly before halfway and Chris O’Donovan joined issue with La Mystere with the two front runners no racing a bit keen whilst the eventual winner sat 2L off them. Three out and both the long-time leaders raised the white flag as Mikey O’Connor eased through with Country Kitten and from here the 7yr old daughter of Recital kept on in good fashion eclipsing Rule Of June (4-5) and Darragh Allen by 3.5L.
“This mare had a great run in Belclare the last day (3rd),” said successful trainer Terence Leonard for whom this was the first leg of his first ever double. “I thought a reproduction of that run would see us go close we will go to Mallow now on Easter Monday for either the bumper or Hunter chase”.
This double now moves Michael O’Connor onto the 403-winner mark in his career to date and the Liscarroll native has made no secret of the fact that he would like to equal Enda Bolger’s tally of 413 before he calls time on his career.
James Hannon started the day on a brighter note as he teamed up to record victory in the opening 4yr old maiden on board the Colin Motherway trained Encanto Bruno (3-4-3) who ran out a snug 2L winner in this Goffs sponsored event.
Eight went to post here and not surprisingly the market was dominated by Wexford raiders and as the contest unfolded two of them Cato Capone (2-7/2) and Jamie Scallan along with Flash Du Pistolet (2-4) under Simon Cavanagh opened up a 5 to 6L advantage racing over the fourth last, the pairing were locked together three out but at the crest of the hill the Denis Murphy trained Flash Du Pistolet had no more to give and was pulled up, this left the Sean Doyle trained Cato Capone in front some 4L to the good over the staying on Encanto Bruno. Two out and the Wexford raider began to thread water as Hannon eased passed on the son of Mahler and from here, he was holding too many aces and once safely over the last he duly went onto score a shade snugly by 2L over the only other finisher Flash Du Pistolet.
This 20k Tatts August store sale purchase is trained down the road in Killeagh by Colin Motherway and of the winner he said “I was fairly confident coming here to be honest, he is a grand straight forward horse to train he will go to Aintree now for the sale, James gave him a peach of a spin there he is some operator, we go back a long way but that is the first winner I have given him”.
The rest of the day belonged to Araglin rider Darragh Allen as booted home his first ever treble two of whom were supplied by Carrigtwohill trainer Terence O’Brien.
Allen and O’Brien got off the mark when Grey Dalco (2-3) delivered in the eleven-runner 5yr old geldings maiden kindly sponsored by Tattersalls and Anthony and Associates Agri Consultants.
The recent Kildorrery runner up assumed control after three out and from here he quickly had the opposition put to the sword eventually coming home to score hard held some 18L clear of Joys Of Life (3-5) and Mikey O’Connor.
Carrigtwohill trainer Terence O’Brien was on hand to greet his winner whom he also owns and of the French bred he said “Sure look his form was rock solid coming here he has improved a show for the last run and will improve again for this run, if he is not sold he will go to Mallow on Easter Monday for the bumper”.
Terence O’Brien topped and tailed the Darragh Allen treble as his Ik’s Man ran out a wide margin winner of our concluding race the 6yr old and upwards geldings maiden kindly sponsored by Rathbarry Stud and Lagan Concrete.
Twelve went to post in this contest but from two out only two counted as the eventual winner was at the head of affairs with the well backed Can’t Beat History (3-6/45/2-2) under James Hannon right on the premises.
Darragh Allen appeared to be holding the trump card when his nearest rival crashed out at the second last, the last fence was bypassed due to an injured jockey receiving treatment and it was all too easy for the 3/1 shot (from 5s) with the 6yr old Walk In The Park progeny coming home 8L clear of the Sioned Whittle partnered Dragons Rock (5/2-5).
“That is a great relief,” said successful trainer Terence O’Brien. “This horse was running a blinder in Boulta as a 4yr old and he picked up an injury two out and Darragh quickly pulled him up, look it took twelve-months to get him right so this is great altogether, a great friend of mine John Buckley from Barryscourt is also involved in him and I will talk to John now but I would think that either Mallow Easter Monday for the bumper or onto Tipperary for the point bumper there”.
There was a rousing finale to the conclusion of the Open Lightweight sponsored by The Winners Enclosure, Coolagown Stud and Dermot O’Leary Agri Ltd, and it was here that Darragh Allen recorded the middle leg of his personal treble on board the evergreen Macs Legend (2-3).
The now 14yr old progeny of Blueprint a maiden winner at this venue in 2017 Macs Legend hit the front three out accompanied by Clounts Glory (4/5-6/4) and Chris O’Donovan with these two-putting daylight between themselves and the remainder.
The pairing raced over the last two obstacles as one and were absolutely locked together, on the run in it was nip and tuck and it was not until the final five strides that the veteran Macs Legend poked his head in front getting up to score by a short head.
“This horse is a legend,” said successful trainer Gerry Kelleher who was also operating as a bookmaker on the day. “Sure what can I say, he has won nine point to points now and is a dream horse to have at home, his owner Shane Prendeville rides him out every day he is our king of the yard at home, he will go now for the Jack Tyner race at Mallow over Easter and will tip away in opens as well”.
GROUND CONDITIONS AND CROWD
With the current spell of dry weather leading up to this meeting going ahead the committee had their hand forced into watering the track and to their great credit they did an amazing job with many trainers and riders all praising the ground, it raced a little on the dead side but safe out, well done to all concerned, your efforts were greatly appreciated.
Crowdwise, I personally don’t think I have ever seen such a crowd at Ballynoe point to point, it really was a sight to behold with every vantage point taken up for viewing the races and throw in the dog show, various food outlets, it all added to the colour of the day.
NEXT WEEKEND...
On the Cork-Waterford circuit next weekend we are at Dromahane where the Doneraile Harriers stage their annual fixture.