Downpatrick trainers record wins at Gowran Park and Dundalk on Friday
Two Downpatrick trainers enjoyed wins on Friday night at different racetracks in Ireland.
Brian Hamilton who is enjoying a good start to the jumps season with the consistent Easca Peaca, which with Sean O’Keefe in the saddle opened his account in the opening maiden hurdle at Gowran Park writes Joe Kavanagh.
The local winner was always prominent despite mistakes and an almost disastrous mistake at the final flight resulted in a close finish, however, the Downpatrick horse prevailed by a neck in a photo finish denying favourite, Showbusiness.
Brian Hamilton said: “I knew he’d win a maiden hurdle somewhere and he’s stayed on well there today. We’ll probably look for a novice handicap.
“I’d say he wants a bit more ease in the ground, but the ground today probably helped him to get home. He ran well here before to be second when the ground was near bottomless.
“I’d say he’d jump a fence in time even though he’s small as he’s a great little horse to jump.
“One of the syndicate members Maurice King, a local vet in Downpatrick who was held in very high regard, passed away on Wednesday, but the family said we should go ahead and run. It was fitting tribute that he went there and won today.”
Pat Turley who is based in the centre of the local course was also on the mark at Dundalk on Friday night. That’s Just Dandy was another to score in a photo finish when Robbie Colgan got the winner’s head in front of favourite, Split Passion in the seven furlong maiden. Turley’s winner led and was prominent for most of the race and kept on best in the closing stages to win.
Robbie Colgan said: “I went along on him the last day in Bellewstown over a mile and probably just the last 100 yards caught him out. Tonight over seven we were fairly confident on the sound surface he’d stay going. He’s settling much better with racing as well and he finishes out great.
“We actually thought a lot of him early on, but he was doing things wrong, being too keen. He’s starting to relax now, do things right and finish off his races. Hopefully he’ll be alright.”
