WEEK 29 15th-21st JULY 2013

Another record breaking week for Avondhu area locals in the UK, with no more than 21 associated winners on 18 individual horses. Nine of those winners were provided solely by the in-form yard of Jonjo O’Neill.

O’NEILL BAGS NINE IN A ROLLERCOASTER WEEK

Castletownroche trainer Jonjo O’Neill recorded no less than nine winners last week. With his yard in great form it was a good time for Fermoy jockey Maurice Linehan to return from a 5 month injury lay-off. Wasting little time, Linehan bagged two winners on his first four rides back for O’Neill.

The first of those wins came aboard Dreamsoftheatre (9/2) in a class 5 handicap hurdle over 3m 3f at Newton Abbot. Settled off the pace in a ten strong field, this five year old grey son of King’s Theatre was always travelling and jumping well in the hands of Linehan. Picking up the leader Southway Queen (12/1) approaching the second last, Dreamsoftheatre jumped into a two length lead between the last two flights. Keeping up to his work on the run to the last, Linehan and Dreamsoftheatre stormed clear for an empathic eight length win from the aforementioned Southway Queen.

Recording his first win under rules, Dreamsoftheatre can now go on improving over staying trips in future races. Jonjo O’Neill, winning trainer went onto say, “The trip seems to be the key to Dreamsoftheatre, as he got it and most of the others did not see it out.”

We didn’t have to wait long for Linehan’s second winner on the card aboard Rum And Butter (5/2f) in a class 3 handicap hurdle over 2m 3f. Returning to the track where he recorded his only previous win, this five year old son of Fermoy stallion, Milan was winning here off an 11Lb higher mark.

Ridden just off a good pace set by Descaro (9/1), Rum And Butter was again seen travelling best to three out. Challenging the leader and eventual second Hunting Tower (7/1) upsides over the second last, Linehan was always in full control and jumping the last well, duly powered up the short run-in for a five length win.

Jonjo O’Neill, winning trainer went onto say, “Rum And Butter is not the most straightforward ride as he tends to carry his head a bit high but he wants this type of ground. They went a good gallop and that also helped and in the end, things just dropped right for him.”

Maurice Linehan, winning jockey speaking to The Avondhu went on to say, “Both horses did it well and as Jonjo’s are flying, it’s easy enough to ride them. It’s great to be back in the saddle.”

Liscarroll jump jockey, Richie McLernon could be deemed unlucky through injury as he was set to ride both Dreamsoftheatre and Rum And Butter. But he was also on the scoresheet with Church Field (7/2) in the feature Cumbria Crystal Trophy (handicap) at Cartmel last Saturday.

Upped in class again, this fast improving five year old son of Heron Island was recording a four timer off a mark 28Lb higher than his first win at Newton Abbot two months ago. Ridden just off the pace in this twelve runner contest, McLernon bided his time sitting on the tail of Tornado Bob (5/1). Seemingly travelling best, it looked a matter of how far for Church Field, but a sloppy jump at the last gave the initiative to Taigan (9/1) who got first run up this long run-in. Switched to the outside, McLernon gathered his mount and getting the desired response collared the leader inside the final furlong to go and win by half a length at the line.

Richie McLernon, winning jockey went onto say, “He didn’t handle the last bend, the ground’s a bit chopped up there, but when he got on an even keel again he ran on. He’s been very well placed by Jonjo, so credit to him.”

O’Neill went on to record another six winners, all of which were ridden by Tony McCoy. These were, Bold Raider (4/1), American Legend (2/1f), Whistling Senator (13/8f), Don’t Be Late (5/4f), Salpierre (7/4f) and Strongly Suggested (6/4f).

On a sad note, the highs of racing are always followed by the lows, O’Neill’s Galaxy Rock was fatally injured at Market Rasen and the yard’s Northhumberland Plate winner Tominator suffered a serious suspensory ligament injury at home which could keep him out for six months.

KENIRY BOWLS THEM OVER WITH MEDINAH

Killeagh flat jockey, Liam Keniry rode two nice winners last week, the most notable being Miracle Of Medinah (33/1) in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury for Lambourn trainer Mark Usher.

Sent off the rank outsider for this 6f event, Keniry set out to make all the running and by the furlong pole, there was only going to be one winner. Setting a good pace on quick ground conditions, Miracle Of Medinah had most of his rivals in trouble at halfway and this son of Milk It Mick, drew away inside the final furlong to win by an impressive three and a quarter lengths from Mappa Mundi (14/1) back in second place. The disappointing odds-on favourite Thunder Strike (1/2f) finished stone cold last under Richard Hughes with no apparent excuses coming to light. He was routinely dope tested by the stewards.

Miracle Of Medinah, the only horse in the race without a Group entry, could make up into a Group performer on this evidence and after costing connections only £3,000 at Doncaster Sales, he must be the bargain buy of the season.

Mark Usher, winning trainer went on to say, “He’s obviously improving and loves this ground but he is very much a two-year-old and loves his racing for a little colt. I didn’t put him in the Gimcrack this week but whether we go for the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood with the ground still fast I don’t know.”

A sad after note on this race, with top comedian and co-owner of the second placed Mappa Mundi, Mel Smith, passing away over the weekend.

Keniry’s second winner came on board the Ed De Giles trained Diamondhead (7/2f) in a class 5 handicap over 6f at Ayr. This race, a Scottish Sprint qualifier, looked very competitive on paper.

An honest pace saw Keniry sit just off leader Bassett Road’s (40/1) girth up the inside rail. Noted travelling smoothly to the 3f pole, Diamondhead led inside the final two furlongs and stayed on too strongly for his rivals, winning with a bit in hand by one and a quarter lengths from Beckermet (12/1) back in second.

Formerly rated 90 when trained by Brian Meehan, this four year old son of Kyllachy was running here off a mark of just 70 and looks well handicapped on old form. He holds an entry at York this coming Friday and may well follow up under a penalty.

Ed De Giles, winning trainer went on to say, “Diamondhead is best when he can make the running like that. He doesn’t want to be dropped in as he hasn’t a great turn of foot. He may stay 7f and he likes this ground.”

Keniry now moves onto the 40 winner mark for 2013.

J LOOKS WONDER-FUL FOR LANE

Kilworth flat jockey, Martin Lane continued in good form as he bagged three more two year old winners last week. His standout winner was aboard two year old debutant filly J Wonder (16/1) for trainer Brian Meehan in a class 4 maiden over 6f at Newbury.

Again this looked a competitive 15 runner filly event with all the big yards represented. Breaking well, Lane sat mid pack, three lengths off pacesetter Autumn Sunrise (7/4f). With the gallop looking generous, J Wonder travelled sweetly in her jockey’s hands and switched to the outside on seeing daylight two furlongs out, she duly stayed on strongly to pick off Autumn Sunrise inside the last 100 yards, winning snugly by three quarters of a length at the line.

A $300,000 purchase at Keeneland sales by Rathcormac agent Hugo Merry, this daughter of Footstepsinthesand is a half sister to Group 1 winner Chachamaidee and looks a highly promising recruit.

Brian Meehan not noted for first time out two year old winners went onto say, “She is a lovely filly with a most amazing pedigree. She was a great buy as a foal when you think about it and has grown into a most striking filly. Martin was most complimentary and said he only had to give her one flick and felt he always had the favourite beaten. Whether we go for the Lowther we will see, but Martin said a fast-run 6f is perfect for her at the moment.”

Lane’s second winner came aboard Primitorio (8/1) in a class 5 2yo handicap over 6f at Lingfield Park (Turf) for trainer Ralph Beckett. Making all, this gelded son of Oratorio showed a good attitude in first-time blinkers to get the better of a protracted duel with race favourite Chord Chart (5/4f). The winning distance of a short head says it all and Lane was again seen at his strongest here. Rated 64, Primitoro has something to work with and may progress further in time given similar conditions.

Lane’s third and final winner came aboard the Mick Channon trained Porteous in a class 6 2yo Selling Handicap over 7f at Yarmouth. A very weak event saw Porteous very confidently handled by Lane. Held up early, this daughter of Sixties Icon hit the front two furlongs out and Lane, sitting motionless, only had to nurse home the filly hands and heels to win by a neck at the line. Porteous looks better than this bare result and could go in again if turned out sooner rather than later.

Martin Lane, winning jockey went on to say, “I didn’t have to give her a slap to win which was good as she has had a few hard races of late.” Lane now moves onto the 31 winner mark for 2013.

O’MEARA SETS THAT WINNING TREND

Fermoy trainer David O’Meara is almost impossible to keep out of this column. Another four winners last week is testament to that. His most notable winner came with Set The Trend (5/2), who seemed to have it all to do in a Class 3 Conditions event over 7f at Haydock Park. Rated 98 going into this race, Set The Trend was set to concede 8Lb to a 106 rated horse in the shape of the Mark Johnston trained Bannock (5/4f).

Ridden by Danny Tudhope, this seven year old son of Reset tracked the aforementioned pacesetter Bannock, who proceeded to buckle under quick fractions at the three furlong pole. Hitting the front, Set The Trend and Tudhope now had to contend with Magic Destiny (7/4) who loomed large travelling well. Headed by that rival two out, Set The Trend somehow found more for pressure and with game determination, started to get back on top on the run to the line. Magic Destiny now faltering had little more to offer and Set The Trend duly went on to win by one and a half lengths.

Recording his sixth win this Group 2 placed and Listed Stakes winner looks an ideal candidate for the Betfred Mile at Goodwood on August 2nd, a track he has won at in the past.

O’Meara’s second winner came with Lexington Place (11/4) who is proving a story in himself. Having just his fourth start for the yard he duly recorded his fourth win on the bounce over 5f in a class 4 handicap at Catterick under impressive apprentice David Bergin (7). Lexington Place has now improved a total of 20Lb plus since joining O’Meara just over a month ago. Upped in class again here, there is no telling when the handicapper will catch up with this fast improving three year old.

Mike Prince manager and owner with Middleham Park Racing went on to say, “He stepped up nicely. He keeps doing enough. Five furlongs is his trip at the moment. He is in again at Redcar on Sunday (21st July) and we will look at that.”

The third winner for the Nawton team came with the likeable Robert The Painter (9/2) in a class 4 handicap over a mile at Beverley. Ridden again by Danny Tudhope, it had been three years since the five year old son of Whipper won on debut back in 2010. Second on seven occasions, Tudhope always had his mount well positioned in second place tracking the pacesetting Cono Zur (11/1). Challenging that leader two out, Robert The Painter, determined not to be the bridesmaid again, kept on well despite being hampered late on, to record a neck win from the wayward Cono Zur.

O’Meara’s fourth and final winner came with Nurpur (5/2f) in a class 5 handicap over 8f at Haydock Park. With Tudhope in the plate once more, this three year old daughter of Dark Angel was recording her second win in game fashion.

Held up off a strong pace she duly stayed on to strongly for those early pacesetters, going on to win by a neck at the line from the Richard Fahey trained Gabrial The Thug (7/2). With a hood re-fitted this quirky filly can go on again from this and holds entries at both York and Thirsk this coming Friday.

O’Meara now moves onto the 84 winner mark under both codes for 2013.