By Dan Walsh at Ballinaboola races
Heavier than expected overnight rain left the Ballinaboola track with difficult conditions and parking in the field was a non-runner, however, the misty rain cleared to sunshine during the afternoon, a race was divided to make it a 7-race point-to-point card, the event was successfully concluded with the highlights including a double each for rider Jamie Scallan and Coolbawn, Rathnure, handler Robert Tector.
Racing kicked off with the first four-year-old maiden race of the year, nine went to post, this race has not been won outside the Wexford boundary since 2017, and the record was extended when Lion Rose Sivola took the honours for handler Mark Scallan, Cleriestown, racing in the colours of Laura Scallan and ridden by Declan Lavery.
The maiden race for five-year-olds went off in two divisions. Division one went to Tales of Bravery from Eamonn Doyle’s Balindaggin stables. Six lengths to spare and first leg of a double for rider Jamie Scallan.
Robert Tector initiated a double with Jury’s In scoring by four lengths under Jack Hendrick in division two. Tector’s second winner was The Ducks Walk in the maiden race for seven-year-olds and upwards, confined to novice riders, and a second career winner for Sean O’Rourke from Ballybeg, Ferns. Three weekend winners from Robert Tector’s stables as he saddled An Buachaill Rua to victory in Dungarvan on Saturday.
The race for five- and six-year-old mares concluded in a 15 lengths victory for Where’s Cato, owned by Tom Browne, Ferns, handled by John Martin Walsh, Duncormick, and ridden by Barry Stone. This was Walsh’s 30th career winner as a handler.
Only two finished the maiden race six-year-old geldings and a three lengths victory for Mick Goff’s The Coffey Boy and a first winner for 18-years-old Matthew Gahan from Boolavogue.
Jamie Scallan’s double was completed in the Winners Race Unlimited aboard Sean Doyle’s Between Waters who came home three lengths ahead of the Colin Bowe pair, Theatrical Getaway and Haggard.
It was a good afternoon’s racing with a good attendance and the Wexford Hunt can be proud of their efforts in completing the card safely and satisfactorily despite extremely challenging conditions caused by the overnight rain.
WexfordLocal.com 