Custom Cuts through bracken for trainer O'Meara

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Custom Cuts through bracken for trainer O’Meara

David O’Meara recorded 6 winners, while jockey Martin Lane recorded an impressive group 2 victory – highlights from Week 33 for Avondhu connections.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 26 August 2014
12:40 PM GMT



WEEK 33: 11th - 17th AUGUST, 2014

13 winners from 7 individuals which included two group winners, a Great St. Wilfrid winner and a first Tapeta winner. Our total for 2014 now sits on 311 winners combined.

CUSTOM CUTS THROUGH BRACKEN

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, continues in unstoppable form of late and he recorded another 6 winners last week, taking his season's total onto the 81 winner mark. His most notable winner came with the Danny Tudhope ridden, Custom Cut (10/3), who took the Group 3 Desmond Stakes, over 1m, at Leopardstown on August 14th last.

Coming here off back to back listed wins, this five year old gelded son of Notnowcato had ideal conditions, as Tudhope settled him in fourth, up the inside of runners, just off the early pace set by Great White Eagle. A steady to even pace set the race up nicely and switched to challenge to the outside off the home turn, Custom Cut set dead aim at race favourite Brendan Bracken, who hit the front well inside the final two furlongs. Ridden to join Brendan Bracken, Custom Cut stayed on strongly to pass and take control of this race, duly striding clear of his rivals. Eased to finish, the O'Meara inmate had plenty to spare with a two and a quarter length winning margin at the line.

Recording his 8th win in total, Custom Cut looks better than ever and may well have put up another career best effort here. He may well step up in class to group 2 company before long and holds an entry at Doncaster for the Park Stakes on September 13th next, a race in which Breton Rock could also show up in.

O'Meara went on to record another 5 winners which included a third Great St Wilfrid Handicap (C2) winner with Out Do (7/1), ridden by Danny Tudhope, at Ripon on August 16th. Tudhope went on to record a double on the day at Ripon, when he rode Bartack for O'Meara to take Attheraces Handicap (C3) over 1m.

O'Meara completed an across the card treble when his Fattsota (4/1) took the Racing Welfare Handicap (C2), over 1m4f, under Pat Dobbs at Newmarket. Awake My Soul (9/4) and Sophisticated Heir (3/1) completed a great week for both O'Meara and Tudhope, taking the Peacock Salt Handicap (C3) and the Bridge McFarland Handicap (C4), at both Ayr and Beverley respectively.

BRETON SOLID AS A ROCK

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, had another week to remember, recording his second group 2 winner, aboard the David Simcock trained Breton Rock (3/1), who took the 6 runner Hungerford Stakes, over 7f, at Newbury on August 16th last.

Back from a two and a half month break, this four year old gelded son of Bahamian Bounty was coming here off the back of a group 3 short-head defeat by Penitent, at Haydock in late May. With ground conditions to suit and last year’s winner and July Cup third Gregorian in the line-up, this race looked a tight knit affair.

A slow early pace didn't help matters, as Lane took cover behind the early pacesetter, Professor. As the race hotted up, Lane pulled his mount to the outside of runners, fully two furlongs from home. With Gregorian travelling well enough, Lane produced Breton Rock to narrowly lead at the one pole. Joined again by Gregorian, both market leaders set out for home locked as one. A protracted duel developed inside the final furlong with no horse relenting and a game Breton Rock put his head down where it mattered most. Too close to call on first viewing, the judge called it in Breton Rock's favour by a short-head.

Recording his 7th win from 13 starts, Breton Rock must go down as one of the most consistent horses in training. Well placed and ridden by both his trainer and jockey, he has only been out of the money on one occasion. He will incur a group penalty now, which will make life harder and may well have to go abroad to pick up that coveted group 1 prize.

Martin Lane, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "He's steadily progressed through the ranks and went into the race with a ground chance. He travelled well throughout and at the business end showed his fighting attitude. He has the heart of a lion and you'd back him in a battle any day."

Lane was riding his 29th winner of 2014 in the UK.

VAUGHAN'S PRIMROSE THE FIRST

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, created a bit of history last week, becoming the first trainer to train a winner on the new Tapeta surface, introduced at Wolverhampton racecourse. His Primrose Valley (13/8f), in the hands of Freddy Tylicki, went on to take the 8 runner 32Red Median Auction Maiden Stakes (C6), over 5f, on August 11th last.

Having just her fourth start, this 2 year old homebred daughter of Pastoral Pursuits, wearing a hood and cheekpieces, showed a professional attitude during this race, despite being a bit fizzy going down to post. Drawn to the inside in stall 2, Tylicki made a beeline for the rail after a smart break and proceeded to set the fractions, while pressed early doors by You're My Cracker. Travelling well to two out, Tylicki asked his mount to go about her job and stoked up, she duly quickened clear entering the top of the home straight.

Galloping in splendid isolation, Primrose Valley stormed home for an eased down six length win. You're My Cracker held on for second, with Dolorous a further length back in third.

Recording her first win, dropped back to 5f and eased in class, Primrose Valley, rated 72, can go onto better things and holds an entry in the Two Year Old Trophy (Listed) at Redcar in October.

Ed Vaughan, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "She is an improving filly and will probably run at Newcastle on Friday as it's a 0-75 handicap, she could be up 10Lb from Tuesday."

Vaughan was recording his 11th winner of the season.

JACK GIVES TARVINI SAVAGE RIDE

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, gave young conditional jockey, Jack Savage an evening to remember, as he rode his first winner at the 16th attempt aboard O'Neill's, Tarvini (9/1), who took the 5 runner Dennis Meech Memorial Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 3m, at Market Rasen on August 16th last.

Sent to post the outsider of five runners, off the back of an indifferent summer, Tarvini's handicap mark had dropped to within 2lb of his last winning mark of 100. Ridden with confidence and in a more prominent position throughout, Savage sat stalking the early leader, The Rebel Panther. Jumping and seemingly travelling well, unlike some of his opposition, Tarvini joined and passed The Rebel Panther fully four from home.

In a definite lead over the third last, Tarvini, ears pricked, galloped on easily on the long run to the second last. With Master Of The Hall looking to travel better, Savage kicked on off the home turn and jumping the last two flights well, he fairly stormed home under a good ride, winning by some two lengths at the line.

Recording his 10th win in total, which includes a flat win under Mick Kinane, Tarvini goes particularly well for inexperienced riders and must be a favourite within the Jackdaws team of young jockeys, including Maurice Linehan and Jack Huxham, who have won on him in the past. Whether the 9 year old can follow up from this win, only Tarvini himself will decide.

O'Neill went on to record a second winner with the Tony McCoy ridden, Dursey Sound (7/2), who took the Ambitions Personnel Handicap Chase (C2), over 2m4f, at Southwell on August 17th last.

O'Neill was recording his 34th winner of the season.

LAVA LAMP LIT UP UNDER RING

Freemount native and jump jockey, Conor Ring, was back in the winners circle after a summer break, aboard the Evan Williams trained, Lava Lamp (9/2), who took the 5 runner Welton Aggregates Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 2m3f, at Market Rasen on August 16th last.

Lava Lamp, back from a break himself, had shown little or no form in 2014, having been beaten a total of some 400 lengths in his last 5 hurdle starts. Dropped 20lbs below his highest winning mark of 125, he was given a chance by the handicapper in this contest. Settled in rear, with little choice, Ring had his hands full as his mount continuously jumped slowly and to the left. Making up ground lost between hurdles, Lava Lamp continued to jump sketchily and looked a difficult ride for his young jockey.

Still in with a chance on the long run to the second last, Ring tagged onto the front pair off the home turn and stoking up his willing mount, he duly began to get a response. With the odds-on Tony McCoy ridden, Bathwick Man seemingly travelling best, Ring got upsides his rival going to 2 out.

Jumping the second last well, the pair duly landed in front going to the last flight. Popping the last, a rallying Bathwick Man eyeballed Lava Lamp up the short run-in. An exciting finish ensued with Ring coming out on top, by a neck at the line.

Lava Lamp was recording his 9th win in total and Ring was riding his first winner of the season and 20th in total, which means his claim has now been reduced to 5lb.

SPICE TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, added one winner to his season’s total, which now stands at 46, aboard the Mark Usher trained Spice Fair (12/1), who took the 8 runner Sculpture Equestrian Jewellery Handicap (C4), over 2m, at Beverley on August 14th last.

Dropped 2 grades in class, after a respectable run behind Maid In Rio at Ascot last time out, this 7 year old gelded son of Trade Fair, was slightly underestimated going into this staying contest. Intentionally slow away and settled in last position, Keniry had to be patient, as Be Perfect set steady fractions going out on the final circuit. Still some seven lengths off the leader, but travelling well, downhill to four out, Spice Fair looked the only serious threat to Be Perfect, who controlled the race as they turned into the home straight.

Kicking clear from the front, Be Perfect looked home and hosed as Keniry had to switch around faltering runners. Still with plenty to do as they hit the two pole, the leader began to wobble and as they hit the one marker, there was only going to be one outcome, as Spice Fair reeled in Be Perfect, going on to win by some two lengths. Entitled to win this, his seventh race off an all time high win mark of 82, Spice Fair posted a career best performance (90) here.

Liam Keniry, winning jockey, said, "I wondered whether the second horse got the jump on us, but it's a stiff hill here and I hoped we'd get home and we did."

HOCKY CHALKS UP ONE FOR HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, recorded his 11th winner of the season, this aboard the Nicky Richards trained, One For Hocky (5/2f), who took the ToteJackpot Novices' Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 2m5f, at Perth on August 16th last. Recording his first win over hurdles after an initial bumper win on debut, this six year old gelded son of Brain Boru, came into this race off a good second at this track last time out.

In a slowly run muddling affair, Harding held up his mount early doors and sighted travelled well before the fourth last, made stealthy progress to the third last, where Solway Dandy had taken over at the head of affairs. Ridden to challenge the leader between the last two flights, One For Hocky hit the front approaching the last flight and duly was driven clear on the run-in, to score by some five lengths at the line. Solway Dandy held on well for second place, with early pacesetter Maraweh back in third.

In what looked a moderately run race and contest, the Greystoke inmate, winning here off a mark of just 82, may find life tougher in a truly run race.

Nicky Richards, winning trainer, said, "The wheels fell off after he won his bumper, but the last two races have seen him take a step forward. We'll see where he takes us now."

Total UK wins flat/jumps 2014 = 307; Total wins Dubai = 3; Total wins Ireland = 1.



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