Related Stories

• Trainer David O’Meara in 7th heaven
  
  
• G Force raises the bar at York for trainer David O’Meara
  
  
• 10 winners combined for Avondhu UK-based locals
  
  
• Shutthefrontdoor crowns brilliant season for O’Neill and Jackdaws
  
  
• Ellen’s Week – Rote-ation
  
  
• Jockey Maurice Linehan records a treble during Week 16
  
  
• Ellen’s Week | Doggone it!
  
  
• Eduard emulates Monet’s Garden under jockey Brian Harding
  
  
• Ellen’s Week | Giving and receiving
  
  
• Jonjo O’Neill’s Holywell panning for gold
  
  
• Ellen’s Week | ALL EARS
  
  
• Trainer David O’Meara in seventh heaven with success at Southwell
  
  

Alejandro emerged victorious in the 15 runner Geoff Pemerton Memorial Stakes Handicap (C3) over 7f at York for trainer David O’Meara, during Week 24.

WEEK 24: 9th-15th JUNE, 2014

6 individual winners to report on from Avondhu area locals in the UK. David O'Meara's Nawton yard providing 4 of those winners, with Jonjo O'Neill and Martin Lane adding a further winner apiece.

O'MEARA JUST KEEPS ON KEEPING ON

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, continues in excellent form and he recorded yet another four winners in week 24, taking his season’s tally up to 37 wins on the turf and 48 in total. His most notable winner came with the Silvestre De Sousa ridden, Alejandro (7/1), who took the 15 runner Geoff Pemerton Memorial Stakes Handicap (C3), over 7f at York, on June 13th last.

Having his third start for the yard since joining O'Meara from Richard Fahey's for £20,000, this five year old son of Dark Angel, was recording his sixth win in total and first for the Yorkshire based trainer. Jumping well from the gate, De Sousa set out to make all on this keen going sort. Tanking along in front and sweating profusely, Alejandro put his rivals to the sword fully two furlongs from home. Asking for more effort and quickening before the one pole, Alejandro looked likely to be swamped by a host of horses lining up to challenge him.

But game as ever, he kept finding for his jockey and as the last challenger, Foxtrot Romeo, came to his girth, Alejandro pulled out more going towards the line, to win, going away again by some one and a half lengths. Winning here comfortably off a mark of 87, Alejandro has been as high as 95 in the past, before dropping alarmingly back to 81. Faster ground conditions look key to him as all his six wins have come on ground described as good or faster. He also looks versatile as regards distance, having won from 5f to 7f, a mile may not be beyond him on this evidence.

O'Meara went on to record a further three winners. The first came with the Danny Tudhope ridden, Bispham Green (15/2), who took the Silk Mill Handicap (C4), over 5f at Haydock Park, on June 12th last. The second winner came with the Sam James ridden, Saved By The Bell (4/1f), who completed a three-timer and double on the York card for O'Meara, when taking the Jigsaw Services Apprentices Handicap (C4), over 1m4f on June 13th. And finally, O'Meara's fourth winner came with the Oisin Murphy ridden, Highland Acclaim (16/1), who broke his maiden when taking the Charles Henry Memorial Handicap Stake (C4), over 1m4f at York, on June 14th last.

One footnote on all O'Meara's winners last week, is that they all came from horses who came from or were bought from other yards. Highland Acclaim was also locally bred by Rathbarry Stud.

50 UP AND MISSION COMPLETE FOR McCOY

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, added another winner in Week 24, this in the shape of Mission Complete (7/1), who took the 14 runner, 32Red Handicap Chase (C4), over 2m7f at Worcester, on June 10th last. Ridden by Tony McCoy, this eight year old son of Milan was recording his 6th win in total. Back over the larger obstacles after nearly a year hurdling, Mission Complete needed the full assistance of McCoy, who again was outstanding in the saddle.

With a steady early pace set by Michigan Assassin, McCoy settled his mount to the outside of runners in midfield. Jumping and travelling well going to halfway, Mission Complete found himself under a strong ride before the home turn. Outpaced in fifth and looking the least likely winner going to four out, McCoy kept at his mount and slowly but surely began to reel in the wall of horses in front of him. With no less than nine runners looking to have a chance jumping the last, Mission Complete joined that line of horses on landing.

Staying on strongly and responding to all his jockey’s urgings, the J.P. McManus owned gelding stormed into the lead well inside the final 100yds. Challenged late on by Cruising Bye, McCoy was not for passing and he had a neck to spare at the line. A brilliant ride again from the champion jockey, who looks to be as hungry as ever for winners and duly recorded his fastest ever 50 winners later on that same Worcester card.

Winning here off a mark of 108, Mission Complete shouldn't be too harshly treated by the handicapper after this win. He will still have to defy a mark of 112 plus, which has seemed beyond him in the past. O'Neill moves onto the 17 winner mark for the 2014/15 jumps season.

LONG HAUL PAYS OFF FOR LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, travelled a long way to Hamilton Park, to record his one winner, aboard the David Simcock trained Some Site (8/11f), who took the 9 runner Monklands Maiden Stakes (C5), over 1m1f on June 11th last.

Having just her third start, this three year old daughter of Nayef, was sent to post a warm order to take care of these rivals. Coming here off the back of a good third on her previous race, she only needed to repeat that run to win here. Her main market rival, Maracuja, looked the only likely threat on ratings and she took the race directly to Some Site, setting out to make all the running.

Held up in touch off a steady pace, Lane was sighted keeping his filly up to her work at the halfway point. Making smooth headway before the three pole, Lane stoked up his mount with the leader firmly in his sights. Now under a strong ride, Some Site joined Maracuja at the two furlong maker and try as she did, Maracuja refused to relent her lead.

Now with a fight on his hands, Lane got serious with his filly. As the pair pulled clear of their nearest rivals, it was Lane and Some Site who were finding that bit extra inside the last furlong. Edging in front close home, the Marcella Burns owned filly duly put her head in front and won a little bit tidily in the end.

From a good family and a half sister to Simcock's Group 3 winner Moment In Time, Some Site can go again from this and will no doubt benefit from the experience. A £10,000 purchase, that may look cheap now considering her value as a potential broodmare. Lane was recording his 8th winner of the turf season and 17th in 2014.

Special mention this week to Kilworth native and jump jockey Johnny Allen, who again was seen at his best when taking the Brendan Drechsler Hurdle, aboard Gotta Take Care, over 2m at Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Allen has struck up an amazing partnership with the nine year old gelding, who on winning his 20th race has now amassed prizemoney of over $1,000,000. Allen now stands on the 16 winner mark for the Australian jumps season.

Total UK wins flat/jumps 2014 = 226; total wins Dubai = 3.

blog comments powered by Disqus