WEEK 32 – 5th-11th AUGUST, 2013

With no jump racing in the UK last week, it was down to the flat boys and again we weren’t left down with nine winners for Avondhu area locals. This included a five-winner haul for Fermoy native David O’Meara and an outstanding training performance from Rockmills native, Ed Vaughan with Robin Hoods Bay at Haydock Park.

ROBIN HOODS BAY STEALS THE SHOW FOR VAUGHAN

Ed Vaughan had a week to remember with his stable stalwart Robin Hoods Bay (25/1) taking the feature Betfred Handicap (Class 2) over 1m2f at Haydock Park on August 10th.

Off the track since March, this has to go down as a great training performance by Vaughan and one that will remain close to his heart for many a year to come. Ridden by Luke Morris, Robin Hoods Bay carrying top weight of 9-11 was settled in midfield off a strong pace set by Vasily (14/1). Ridden to challenge down the outside as the pacemaker started to fade, Morris set his sights firmly on race favourite Sennockian Star (9/2f), who hit the front just before the two furlong marker.

Joining that rival upsides at the one furlong pole, Robin Hoods Bay soon hit the front despite carrying his head a bit high and stayed on resolutely for a career best performance, to win going away by one and a half lengths.

Recording his first ever win on turf off a mark of 101, this admirable five year old son of Motivator now has six wins to his name from just 21 starts. Better known as an all-weather performer, Robin Hoods Bay must be considered a bargain buy at 5,200gns, having now amassed prize-money close on £100,000. He now has many options open to him in future races, including group race opportunities abroad.

Ed Vaughan, winning trainer, went onto say, “Robin Hoods Bay wants good ground, perfect good ground, and a nice level track suits. He’s got options abroad and I might put him in the Cambridgeshire where a fast-run 1m1f would suit. He’s a better horse fresh and Dubai will be on the agenda in March.”

O’MEARA TEAM ONE OFF CENTURY

Fermoy trainer David O’Meara edged closer to a century of winners in a calendar year by adding five more wins to his already impressive 2013 winning haul. In fact, if you take into account the yard’s jumps winners in 2013, he is one off that century with 99 winners.

The first winner of the week came with Bondesire (3/1) in a class 4 handicap over 5f at Ripon on August 5th. Ridden by Danny Tudhope, this three year old filly by Misu Bond was recording her second course win off an all time high mark of 80. Tracking the favourite and early leader Jofranka (6/4f) up the inside, Tudhope found the door closing tight up the rail as the race developed. Switching to the outside around Jofranka, Bondesire closed down that rival inside the final furlong to win by half a length at the line.

Danny Tudhope, winning jockey went onto say, “She ran on really well towards the end and dug deep. She was too keen last time and the bit of rain helped.”

O’Meara’s second winner came with Almagest (8/1), again ridden by Tudhope in a class 4 handicap over 2m at Ripon on August 6th. Having his fifth start for the yard since joining them from John Godsen’s, O’Meara’s decision to step this horse up a full half a mile in trip paid huge dividends. A troubled passage didn’t help Almagest here and he still won, despite practically everything going against him in the race.

This five year old son of Galileo can be marked up on his slight winning margin of a nose and should go onto better things if kept to similar staying events. David O’Meara winning trainer went on to say, “He’s been a little bit disappointing so we thought we’d step him up in trip. We’ll keep him up in distance now.”

O’Meara and Tudhope’s third winner came with the ex-Irish trained Monakova (8/1) in a class 6 handicap over 6f at Newcastle on August 7th.

Having only her second start for the yard having formerly been with Willie McCreery in Ireland, this three year old daughter of Diamond Green travelled smoothly through this race and looked head and shoulders above the opposition. Winning by three and three quarter lengths at the line, Monakova was recording her first win at the 13th attempt and off a mark of 65 here it would be disappointing if she didn’t follow up in future events. She holds an entry back at Newcastle this coming Friday, August 16th.

The Nawton yard’s fourth win came with Morocco (11/8f), another ex John Godsen inmate in a class 5 handicap over 1m2f at Haydock Park on August 8th. With Tudhope again in the saddle, Morocco was bidding to follow-up his Redcar win last week off a penalty.

Held up off a cut throat pace set by Spanish Plume (9/1), Morocco made good headway over two furlongs out and leading inside the final furlong stayed on gamely for a half a length win from Euston Square (4/1).

Ian White, representing Equity Racing winning owners, went on to say, “We were hoping his handicap rating would rise, but initially it went down, but David is a genius at getting these handicappers to improve. There’s a 0-80 handicap at York on September 8 that would be a possibility at this stage.”

O’Meara’s fifth and final winner of the week came with Ingleby Angel (10/3) in a class 4 handicap over 8f at Redcar on August 10th. Ridden by Graham Gibbons, this four year old son of Dark Angel was recording his sixth win off a mark of 83, 32Lbs higher than his first win at this course in August 2012.

He is testament to the skills of O’Meara and his team at Nawton. A really likeable and tough individual, Ingleby Angel has now won from 6f to 1m1f and on ground from good to firm to heavy. He is the keystone of all horses within the O’Meara camp in both attitude and willingness to win. He was also the 99th winner for O’Meara in 2013. I hope to be reporting on a century of winners in next week’s Avondhu column.

IF PAINTS A WINNING PICTURE FOR KENIRY

Killeagh flat jockey, Liam Keniry rode another two winners last week, taking him onto the 45 winner mark for 2013.

His first winner came aboard the Andrew Balding trained If (8/13f) in a class 5 2yo maiden over 8f at Brighton on August 8th. Having only his third start, this German bred Rock Of Gibraltar colt was sent to post a warm order after finishing second in a better race at Epsom last time out.

With only five runners the pace was moderate and Keniry settled If in third place just off the pace, set by Nice Arty (9/4). Moving into second place and joining Nice Arty at the cut away into the straight, Keniry got down to business. Shaken up to lead two furlongs out, If still green and hanging into the rail, took control inside the final furlong and went onto score going away by three and a quarter lengths from the staying on Giant’s Legend (16/1) back in second.

A €26,000 purchase at the Baden-Baden sales last August, If has a good staying pedigree on his mother’s side, she herself being a half sister to a German Oaks winner in Iota.

Andrew Balding, winning trainer went on to say, “In fairness to him both his last two runs wouldn’t have suited, as he would like a galloping track. He is going the right way and as he wouldn’t mind any ground, he should be fine in the autumn.”

Keniry’s second winner came aboard the Brendan Powell trained Certavi (3/1) in a class 5 handicap over 12f at Windsor on August 11th. With eight rivals to contend with, Keniry dropped Certavi out in rear off a strong looking pace and travelling well down the outside of runners, was noted making good progress from the three furlong pole. Challenging wide of runners, Certavi and Keniry mowed down his rivals inside the final furlong to win going away by one length from Mont Blanc (5/2f) back in second place.

Recording his second win, both of which have been with Keniry in the saddle, Certavi having only his seventh start, looks to be still progressing and should have little trouble in following up off a penalty on this evidence.

LANE AND QUEST FIND WINNERS CIRCLE

Kilworth flat jockey, Martin Lane added another winner to his season’s tally aboard the David Simcock trained Marju’s Quest (9/2) in a class 6 handicap over 1m1f at Yarmouth on August 8th.

In what looked an ordinary contest, Lane settled his mount in last position off a moderate pace set by Perpetual Ambition (4/1f). Taking closer order after passing the cut away into the home straight, Marju’s Quest was seen travelling sweetly in Lane’s hands. With a huge gap appearing up the inside it was only right than Lane accept the offer of an easy passage. Not wanting to get there too early, Marju’s Quest was asked for more effort two furlongs from home. Hitting the front inside the final furlong Lane and Marju’s Quest had the race in safe keeping 100 yards from home and duly stayed on strongly for an easy two and a half length win from North Pole (7/1) back in second.

Recording his second win from just seven starts, this three year old son of Marju looks progressive enough to follow up on this win in the coming weeks. He holds another entry at Ffos Las on August 14th.

Martin Lane, winning jockey went on to say, “The gap came at the right time on the rail and Marju’s Quest took it well. It wasn’t a great race.”