Trainer David O'Meara on a high following another 5 winners

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Trainer David O’Meara on a high following another 5 winners

Once again Fermoy’s David O’Meara was top of the headlines having recorded 5 winners during Week 31, while in all, 10 winners were notched for Avondhu area locals based abroad.

Barry O’Neill

Monday, 11 August 2014
8:50 PM GMT



WEEK 31: 28th JULY - 3rd AUGUST

Another good week for Avondhu area locals in the UK with 10 winners, five of those coming again from Fermoy native David O’Meara, with three from Liam Keniry and one each from Jonjo O'Neill and Martin Lane. Our total for 2014 now sits on 291 winners combined.

JAMES ON HIGH WITH A CLAIM

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, continues in unstoppable form, as he again chalked up five winners from his Yorkshire base in Nawton. His most notable winner came with the Sam James (3) ridden, Highland Acclaim (11/2), who took the 8 runner Alzheimer's Research UK Handicap (C3), over 6f, at Newmarket on August 2nd last.

With ground conditions described as firm, there was no hanging about here, as Jazz set out to make all under Jim Crowley. Settled in rear up the inside of runners, this three year old gelded son of Acclamation, was keen early doors but travelled ominously well in James's hands. With the regular hood retained, Highland Acclaim sat two lengths off the leader as they entered the dip well inside the final two furlongs.

With Diamond Lady hitting the front as they climbed the final furlong, a patient James saw his opportunity as Jazz hung fire to his left, leaving a huge gap up the inside rail. With the invite taken, Highland Acclaim stayed on strongly to gather in the leaders well inside the final furlong. Devouring the ground, he fairly hosed up here, winning with what looked like plenty in hand, from Diamond Lady, two and three quarter lengths back in second place.

Recording his second and most notable win, Highland Acclaim looked handicapped to the hilt before this run at 87, but James's 3lb claim, faster ground conditions and the race set-up proved significant in the end.

A half brother to 6 winners, including group 3 winner Genki and Ayr Gold Cup winner Highland Colori, Highland Acclaim was also bred by Rathbarry Stud, outside Fermoy. It's not often you get a Fermoy man training a Fermoy bred horse to win at Newmarket. Evan Sutherland, winning owner, went onto say, "It may have looked as if Sam was riding him for luck, but he knows the horse well and they usually come off the rail here, which is what happened. Sam gave him a great ride."

O'Meara went onto record another 4 winners in Week 31 and they were in order, Summer Stroll (11/4), who took the Ladies Day Claiming Stakes (C5), over 7f at Thirsk; Algar Lad (2/1f), who went onto score in the Mabanaft Handicap (3), over 5f at Musselburgh and Scoreline (4/1), who made it three winners on the day for O'Meara and claiming jockey Sam James when taking the Wilkinson Handicap (C6), over 5f, also at Musselburgh, all on August 1. O'Meara's fifth and final winner came with the Danny Tudhope ridden, Miss Mullberry (6/1), who took the Ladies Day Nursery Handicap (C3-2yo), over 5f at Thirsk, on August 2nd last.

O'Meara now sits on the 70 winner mark for 2014.

DERYCK CARRIES ALL BEFORE HIM ON DEBUT

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, continues in fine form, adding another three winners in Week 31, taking his seasonal total onto the 45 winner mark. His most notable winner came aboard the Sylvester Kirk trained, Carry On Deryck (25/1), who took the 8 runner Academy Insurance EBF Maiden (C4), over 6f, at Newbury on August 3rd last.

Making his racecourse debut, this two year old Halling colt was sent to post an unconsidered 25/1 outsider, in a field which contained a hot favourite in the shape of the Roger Charlton trained, Accra Beach (1/4f).

Held up near last in the early stages, off a good pace, set by Blue Eyed Boy, Carry On Deryck was sighted travelling supremely well to the two furlong marker. With Accra Beach, Chevallier and Galago now in a three-way go for the lead, early leader Blue Eyed Boy was eased heavily, causing Keniry and Carry On Deryck numerous amount of problems as they were about to make their move. Having to switch around Blue Eyed Boy and losing lengths in the process, all looked lost, as the leaders got first run and at least a five length advantage.

With clear daylight, Keniry again switched to the inside and with the response immediate, Carry On Deryck mowed down the three leaders within half a furlong, going on to win by three quarters of a length at the line. This was a special performance from the Guy Walters’ owned colt and it would be no surprise to see him show up in some of the better two year old races at the backend of the season. A 30,000gns yearling, he is a half brother to 6f two year old winner, Got To Dance and his dam is a listed winner and herself a half sister to group 2 winner, Illustrious Blue. He looks listed class already and with improvement he could be anything long term.

Liam Keniry, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "He was very impressive with the way he finished off his race. Twice I got stopped and had five lengths to make up, but in three strides he was in front. I'm sure he is a black-type horse."

Keniry's second winner came again aboard the Mark Usher trained Honourable Knight (13/2), who followed up his recent Lingfield under a penalty, when taking the Players For Players Handicap (C5), over 1m4f, at Windsor on July 28th last. Keniry's third and final winner came aboard the Sylvester Kirk trained, Penny's Boy (7/1), who took the Clogau Tree Of Life Handicap (C5), over 1m2f, at Ffos Las on July 31st last.

STRAND SHOWS TRUE AUSSIE GRIT UNDER INSPIRED MCCOY

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, recorded one winner last week, this in the shape of the Tony McCoy ridden, O'Callaghan Strand (4/1f), who took the 8 runner Office Friends Handicap Chase (C4), over 2m4f, at Market Rasen on August 3rd.

Another horse who has seen his handicap mark slowly descend to a winnable level at 111, O'Callaghan Strand needed all the assistance he could get from McCoy in the saddle. Dropped out in rear early doors, this eight year old gelded son of Galileo made steady progress from the fourth last fence to latch onto the leaders. With early pacesetter Sure Thing succumbing to the smooth travelling The Society Man three out, McCoy still looked to have it all to do.

Jumping the second last in third place and with The Society Man and Drumlang looking to be going better, McCoy threw everything at O'Callaghan Strand after the last. Coming with a sustained run to challenge between runners, he duly got to his two rivals 50yds from the finish, staying on relentlessly to snatch victory right on the line, by a head, from The Society Man, back in second place and Drumlang a further neck back in third position.

A thrilling race to say the least and a sixth race win for the Australian bred O'Callaghan Strand, who last visited the winners enclosure back in January 2013. Hard to catch on a going day, he will again be vulnerable to a penalty or a rating beyond 112. McCoy, as he does, seems to extract the most from the J.P. McManus owned gelding, having now won on him 5 times from 19 rides, with two of those wins now coming at Market Rasen.

There must be an interesting story as to how this horse ended up in the UK over jumps having been a September foal, born in Australia, by a champion sire in Galileo.

Jonjo O'Neill now moves onto the 32 winner mark for the 2014-15 jumps season.

ESTIBDAAD AIN'T SO BAD AFTER ALL UNDER LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, kept up his winning run, adding one winner aboard the Paddy Butler trained Estibdaad (20/1), who took the 13 runner 32Red Handicap (C6), over 1m2f, at Lingfield Park on July 28th last.

Lane, riding his 27th winner of the season and still on a high from last week’s group 2 success, was riding this four year old gelded son of Haatef for the first time. Sent to post at large odds and with a handicap mark in free fall at 51, Estibdaad, who was competitive off 60 last winter, may have been slightly underestimated in this ordinary contest. He had shown signs over course and distance early in July that he may be very well handicapped, if reproducing last winter’s form.

Well away from a wide berth, Lane found himself at the head of affairs off the second bend. That lead only lasted three furlongs as a keen going Nifty Kier stormed around the outside of runners to forge on. Content to sit and track this lead to the inside, Lane switched off the rail fully three and a half furlongs out to challenge the long time leader. Stoked up to join and pass a floundering Nifty Kier, Lane kicked on off the home turn and gaining a precious length into the straight, he saw off all challengers by three quarters of a length, despite drifting firstly right and then left under pressure. Hindsight and Copperwood stayed on well for second and third respectively.

Winning with what looked like a bit in hand, Estibdaad, recording his first win in 14 starts, was a very welcome winner for trainer Paddy Butler, whose last recorded winner was in May 2013.

Martin Lane, winning rider, went onto say, "That was no surprise as he looked a picture and ran well in a ladies race here the other day. He was looking about in front and found a bit more when the second came to him."

Total UK wins flat/jumps 2014 = 288; Total wins Dubai = 3.



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