By Dan Walsh at Ballinaboola Races
The Wexford Hunt point-to-point survived an early morning precautionary inspection and went ahead in pleasant conditions at Ballinaboola, New Ross, this afternoon.
The opening race was for four-year-old maidens run over two and a half miles where Mister Boum from Ellen Doyle’s Baltimore Stables, near Enniscorthy was impressive when winning by four lengths ridden by Brian Dunleavy. “They went a sensible gallop and he’s for sale now,” said James Doyle afterwards.
Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill struck winning form in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares with Galatrona scoring by seven lengths.
It was a memorable day for 17 years old novice rider Caitlyn Grant from Mullinavat who registered her first winner on the family-owned David O’Brien trained Occupational Force. Caitlyn rides out at the Colin Bowe stables at Kiltealy.
The maiden race for five-year-old geldings produced a 16 lengths success for Grande J, trained by Nicky Stokes at Fethard, Co. Tipperary, and ridden by Finian Maguire.
There was another Tipperary winner of the maiden race for six-year-old geldings when the Sam Curling trained Kildare D’Irelande ridden by David Doyle took the honours by 12 lengths in the four-runner contest.
Only two contested the Winners Race Unlimited with Hearts And Spades from Ian McCarthy’s yard at Kildangan, Co. Kildare, coming home 10 lengths ahead of Sean Doyle’s Gale Force Jet ridden by Jamie Scallan.
It was a good day’s racing. While access was trickly everything ran smoothly. One fence per circuit was closed and track was riding heavy to soft in places in drying conditions and the fixture was run off safely and efficiently.
There were two Wexford winners at Punchestown on Sunday. Colin Bowe saddled Dedudefromhouston in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus who won by eight lengths with Barry O’Neill in the saddle.
Brian Lawless, who trains at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, enjoyed a 12 lengths success on newcomer County Prospect in the Abbie O’Connor colours in the maden race for four-year-olds. Lawless also took the mount.
Ballymitty handler Gary Murphy is enjoying his best ever season and he was in the winner’s enclosure at Scarteen this afternoon when newcomer Catchem Black in the Turbine Syndicate colours won the maiden race for four-year-olds by an impressive 16 lengths with Foulksmills rider Shane O’Rourke riding.
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