By Dan Walsh
Two point-to-point fixtures across the country today, in Cork and Galway, where Barry O’Neill enjoyed three winners to follow up on his double yesterday, Colin Bowe trained another three winners, and riders Jimmy Kenny and Rob James had a double each to make it a great day for Wexford sport.
Barry O’Neill went to Dromahane, near Mallow, and got off to a good start to the day on the French-bred newcomer Starevich for Colin Bowe, winning by one length in the maiden race for four year old geldings. Running in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours he is bound for the sales.
There was only a head to spare in the second division of the maiden race for five year old geldings but O’Neill got Colin Bowe’s Gallow Ford cross the line to clock up winner number two for the Kiltealy handler/rider partnership.
And before heading home O’Neill made it three for the afternoon – and five in two days – aboard Robert Tyner’s Dangan Des Champs by three lengths in the mares maiden test for five year olds and upwards.
Meanwhile, at Loughrea in Galway, Colin Bowe had his third win of the day with Tommy’s Oscar by 16 lengths in the maiden race for five year old geldings and the first leg of a double for Craanford rider Jimmy Kenny.
Kenny was put up on A Rated by his father, Liam Kenny, in the Open Lightweight Race, and despite being absent from the track for about 760 days, gained a one and a half lengths victory and was a popular success for Paddy Redmond of the Ashdown Park and Amber Springs hotel group in Gorey. “He will stay pointing,” said the Craanford-based handler.
Rob James had a double up north in Down yesterday and he followed with another double at Loughrea today. He was aboard Glengouley for Tipperary trainer Pat Doyle in the maiden race for four year olds – six lengths to the good – and followed up with ‘a distance’ victory on Latino Fling for Castlemartyr handler Matt Collins in the mares’ maiden race.
Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle was in the winner’s enclosure too! He saddled Er Dancer to win the Winner of One Race by a short-head with Ross Foley from Bagenalstown in the saddle. Overall, brilliant form from the Wexford stables and riders on a beautiful autumnal day.
WexfordLocal.com 