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They very well might have been racing to the right for the very last time at Wexford on Tuesday last the 18th of November.
Plans are well advanced at this stage for a trial raceday on St Patricks Day 2015 to race left handed or anti clockwise at the track following discussions with HRI and the Turf Club.
This switch would see Wexford offering the only left handed track in the south east making it unique !
Anyway thats a story for another day, with the days headliner begin the Co Carlow based maestro Willie Mullins who recorded a fine treble under Ruby Walsh.
With a small enough attendance , the bookies in the betting ring may have found it difficult to make a few euro with four odds on favourites on the afternoon, but I’d say matters were helped a little with the defeat of the local hot pot Loch Dara in the last.
Three weeks ago the going at the track was good to firm over the October Bank Holiday weekend but following heavy rain in the intervening weeks it was officially described as, soft to heavy, heavy in places.
But truthfully it actually raced much better than that, so any of the equine mudlarks would have been disappointed.
Willie Mullins was not in attendance nor were many others from the racing world as the scheduled meeting clashed with the funeral ceremony for Dessie Hughes who was remembered with a minutes silence on the afternoon.
The performance of the day was the victory of Vroum Vroum Mag in the Kerlogue Mares Beginners Chase for Mullins and his retained jockey Ruby Walsh.
This 5 year old French bred mare by Voux Du Nord , already a winner over hurdles in France won this 2 mile 3 furlong race pretty much as she pleased at 11/8 on favourite.
The went a good pace from flag fall with Davinia’s Tip leading for someway until Walsh took charge 4 out after his mare jumped her way to the front.
She coasted home 9 lengths clear of Emily Gray and the always prominent Down Ace.
Completing his treble here a very pleased Ruby Walsh stated ” She travelled well and jumped super, she pinged a few of her fences and you would struggle to pick something out of it not to like”
Racing in the colours of Susannah Ricci this mare travelled well on the ground and jumped superbly.
We just might have seen the debut of a top class festival mare here?
Racing opened with the 2 mile 2 furlong Supporters Club AGM Maiden Hurdle where the Gigginstown silks were in the winners enclosure with victory going to Aminabad. The first of the three Mullins/Walsh winners this French bred 4 year old son of Singspiel already a Listed bumper winner quickened up past Domesday Book after the last to win comfortably from Henry De Bromhead’s horse and an eyecatching run from Tombstone in the same winning silks.
Walsh indicated afterwards that “It was sharp and he learned a bit. He will likely go back up in trip”
The Mullins / Walsh treble was achieved by Measureofmydreams in the Slaney Maiden Hurdle where the Shantou 6 year old opened his account over hurdles in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
A point to point winner and a bumper winner already , this horse would be one of the stars of most yards, but given the firepower in Closutton future plans for the horse might be a little unclear.
The Mullins clan didn’t finish with their treble as Patrick Mullins was given the leg up on Boxer Georg by Shark Hanlon in the Rosslare Hunters Steeplechase with the 12 year old Taipan gelding winning at 5/2.
With only four runners in the race, many were scratching their heads wondering just what is wrong with the racing world!!!! With €7,500 on offer it is mystifying that many would prefer to race in an Open Lightweight for €1,000 than to compete in this.
Local trainer Leonard Whitmore won the equivalent race in 2013 with the Winged Love gelding, Loch Dara and Harley Dunne.
They were back for a repeat performance here and in the intervening time Loch Dara had taken the Tetratema Cup at Gowran.
They were sent off the 11/8 on favourites and tracked Mullins on Boxer Georg until hitting the front 2 out. Wandering or at least hanging to the left approaching the last Dunne and Loch Dara failed to negotiate it safely and left Boxer Georg to register only the second track win of his career.
Now in the ownership of Catherine O’Farrell the horse will be campaigned in the point to point fields by her daughter Katie, with the long term aim to run in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham for the Kilmoganny, Co Kilkenny based mother and daughter team.
Members of St Annes GAA Club were out in force on the afternoon as they paraded the Co Wexford Senior Football Cup which they won the previous weekend.
They were on hand to continue their celebrations with Murrintown native Robbie Moran following his win on Halls Bridge in the 2 mile 6 furlong Selskar Handicap Steeplechase.
Moran, now based in Thurles, Co Tipperary had the 7 year son of Brian Boru in the first four all the way and having passed the leader, Adams Wood, they held the fast finishing Tailors Hill to win at 11/1.
Trained in Co Tipperary by Shane Ryder and owned by Co Westmeath based owner/breeder Denis Hannon this was the horses first track win having been successful in the point to point fields.
Robert Murphy brought Mrs Mac Veale from his Co Waterford yard to contest the 5 runner Join The Supporters Club Mares Hurdle. The Cappaquin, Co Waterford based trainer picked up the winners share of the €15,000 pot when the 9 year old Karinga Bay mare won under Andrew McNamara.
Leading all the way, on the five time winner, McNamara held off a flattering Solita in second. Owned by Villierstown man Paddy Corkery, McNamara indicated afterwards “We were a little worried about the ground, but she is genuine and likes it her own way”
The seventh winner of the day saw Oliver McKiernan and Shane Crimin join forces to win the Loch Garman Handicap Hurdle with the 5/1 shot Follow The Sign.
With his Co Dublin yard out of form McKiernan “hoped the horse was healthy and fit enough to do himself justice”
The 6 year old son of Old Vic won this race with ease and if all of McKiernans future runners are in such form they should be feared.
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[1] http://www.talkinhorses.ie