Trainer David O'Meara's a fighter on all 'Frontiers'

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Trainer David O’Meara’s a fighter on all ‘Frontiers’

2014 is off to a flying start for Avondhu area locals, who secured several winners in spite of poor weather conditions interfering with race fixtures.

Monday, 13 January 2014
8:50 PM GMT



WEEK 1 1st- 5th JANUARY 2014

With the weather playing havoc on all UK fixtures in Week 1 of 2014, we still have 3 winners to report this week from Avondhu area locals in the UK.

O'MEARA'S A FIGHTER ON ALL FRONTIERS

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, wasn't long in getting off the winning mark for 2014. With just his third runner on the flat, O'Meara took a class 3 handicap, with Frontier Fighter (9/4), over 1m at Southwell on January 5th last.

Ridden by ex Irish apprentice, Sam James (3), Frontier Fighter was winning his fifth race in total and fourth on a synthetic surface, off this, his highest handicap mark of 93 (A/W). Upped two furlongs in trip, James took the race on, leading early from an inside draw. Setting good fractions, he steadily increased the tempo to the three furlong marker. With The Lock Master (7/2) sticking to his tail, James came off the rail and turned into the home straight with a slight advantage.

Hanging left back onto the running rail, Frontier Fighter knuckled down well when asked to go about his job. Staying on strongly, he got the upperhand from a persistent The Lock Master inside the final furlong, going on to win readily by one length at the line.

Recording his first win since April 2013, Frontier Fighter may find things tougher on the all weather when reassessed by the handicapper. A step up to listed company wouldn't be out of the question or O'Meara may choose to give this six year old son of Invincible Spirit a break after a long season. Rated 90 on the turf, Frontier Fighter may well find better opportunities on turf come April.

ARC'S NOT NEEDED FOR HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, got the ball rolling for the New Year when he recorded the first winner of 2014 aboard the Willie Amos trained Arc Warrior (14/1), in a class 5 handicap chase over 3m1f, at Ayr on January 2nd last.

Sent off the outsider of eight runners and with a tongue tie re-fitted, this 10 year old son of Even Top, was recording his first win under rules, on this, his third start for Amos. Having previously been banned from racing for failing to finish his races, Arc Warrior looks a different proposition this season and with a plummeting handicap mark to boot, wasn't winning out of turn here.

Held up and keen in the early stages, Arc Warrior travelled and jumped well for Harding, and with race favourite Snuker (5/2f) departing at the 10th fence while prominent, the way was made clear for the Broadhaugh trained gelding. Making his move three out, Harding had new race leader, Lord Fox (9/2), firmly in his sights. A mistake at that fence didn't cost Arc Warrior any momentum and travelling smoothly to the second last, Harding duly challenged Lord Fox, half a length down.

Joining that leader upsides going to the last, Arc Warrior jumped the better of the two and stayed on strongly up the run-in for a convincing looking one and a quarter length win. Lord Fox plugged on gamely for second and To Cool To Fool (6/1) was a further 21L back in third position.

Arc Warrior obviously has physical issues, having pulled up on 9 of his 15 starts, point-to-points included. Credit must go to Willie Amos for finding the key to this horse and a follow up win isn't out of the question, if all holds well. Brian Harding was recording his 17th winner of the season.

FRACTAL BRINGS DOWN ANGLO IRISH

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, also recorded his first winner of 2014 aboard the David Simcock trained Fractal (20/1), in a class 5 maiden over 1m2f, at Lingfield Park on January 4th last.

Having only his third start and stepped up two furlongs in trip, this 3 year old High Chaparral colt, improved beyond recognition from his two previous starts. Taking on hot race favourite Anglo Irish (1/3f) for the second time, having finished 7L behind him on his previous start, Fractal seemingly had it all to do.

Dropped out in rear and wide of runners by Lane early doors, Fractal travelled well off a steady pace set by Anglo Irish and William Buick. With the pace quickening from the three pole, Lane made his move under strong riding. Making rapid headway to the two furlong marker, Fractal challenged wide off the home turn, with only two horses in front of him.

Straightening for home and Lane got the desired response from his mount, who duly mowed down Anglo Irish inside the final furlong, to win handy, by a neck, at the line.

Recording his first win, Fractal a 72,000gns yearling, who is a half brother to 7 winners, 4 of which have black type, including group 1 placed Henrik, can go onto better things over further on this evidence.

David Simcock, winning trainer, went onto say, "He is just a big baby. He wouldn't face the kickback and isn't really a horse for synthetics. We kept him wide to avoid the kickback. He'll be a lovely middle distance horse in the summer."

WELL DONE

Well done to connections of Avondhu Lady, who took a mares handicap hurdle at Cork Racecourse, for Fermoy trainer David Fenton, on January 4th last. Also to trainer Jimmy and jockey Patrick Mangan, who took the beginners chase, on that same card, with Castle Wings.

Also a mention for Kilworth jump jockey, Adrian Heskin, who was on the scoresheet at Tramore aboard the Enda Bolger trained Federici, on New Year’s Day. And finally to top amateur jockey, Jane Mangan, who went out on a winner on the last day of 2013, aboard Kilknockin Lady at Punchestown, for Carrigtoohill trainer, Terence O'Brien.

Total wins 2014 UK = 3.



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