By Dan Walsh at Wexford races
The second of the two-day race meetings at Wexford racecourse today (Thursday) was a big improvement on yesterday when the weather caused poor visibility and misery for punters and, like yesterday when Denis Murphy saddled Three By Two (9/1) for the lone local success in the concluding race there was another fine local winner in the final race today.
Joecooker (14/1) prevailed in a tight finish to the INH Flat Race to win for James Doyle and Mary Ellen Doyle from Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, with Brian Dunleavy as the successful jockey. Afterwards, James Doyle, winning owner and brother of the winning trainer, said; “I was expecting him to run well. He probably did see out the three miles in the point-to-point. He had a nice run at Punchestown in a maiden hurdle where he finished fourth and wasn’t beaten by far.
Doyle continued; “We had a runner (Impakt St Georges) in the first today as well who finished fourth and wasn’t beaten far. Point-to-pointing is mainly what we do, but we have a few for the summer for the track. It’s a family run operation between myself, and my sister Ellen and we just run a few on the track that don’t hit the back of the net in point-to-point’s.”
There was a steward’s enquiry that saw placings reversed following the mare’s maiden hurdle. Gers Gigi (11/4 fav.) with Jack Kennedy up, was given the verdict by a nose from Alabama Birmingham (4/1) ridden by Eoin Walsh for Eamonn Delaney, Co. Meath.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference at the last and on the run to the line of this race involving Gers Gigi, ridden by J.W. Kennedy, placed second and Birmingham Alabama, ridden by E. Walsh, placed first, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Birmingham Alabama had caused interference to Gers Gigi on the run to the line and as a result of this interference had improved it’s finishing position. As a consequence, the Raceday Stewards reversed the placings of the first positions and amended the result to read as follows: Amended Result: First: Gers Gigi Second: Birmingham Alabama. Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that jockey Eoin Walsh was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard (first offence), they suspended him for two racedays.
Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, successful with Kudasheva (5/1) in the beginners’ chase yesterday made it a double for the two days when Liebec Nicc (9/4) scored in the opening maiden hurdle. And champion jockey Jack Kennedy also got his name on the scoreboard when he brought home Bigira (7/2) for Mark Fahey by a length and a half in the first division of the handicap hurdle.
There are three fixtures for Wexford Racecourse in August; during the week of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on Wednesday, August 7th and on Friday, August 9th and a third fixture happens on Friday, August 30th. All are evening fixtures.
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