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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Zoffany Bay a Derby winner for in-form Fahey

Tue 11th Jul 2023, 19:52

Zoffany Bay in charge for Ben CoenZoffany Bay in charge for Ben Coen
© Photo Healy Racing

Zoffany Bay made most in the Tote Tramore Derby Handicap to make it five winners in the last week for trainer Peter Fahey.

The 11/8 favourite soon led under Ben Coen in this mile and a half assignment. He stamped his authority on the race as he cranked up the pressure coming to the final quarter of a mile.

The field couldn't make inroads into the lead as Zoffany Bay stayed on well to see it out by a length and three-quarters. While You're Up (7/2) took the runner-up berth and was a length and a-quarter in front of 16/1 Herculaneum

Fahey said: "He is a horse that has plenty of ability. His ran a big race on his first run for me at Ascot in February and heading back to England was probably the wrong thing to do. We went back to Sandown with him and things just went pear shaped. He had a lovely run the last day in Tipperary and then came on to this race. 

"It's brilliant for Tom Raine (of Pimlico Racing Ireland) who is from Tramore and is very fond of here. He was keen to get a winner at his home track. This race is a great initiative for syndicates (confined to syndicates and racing clubs) and it was a nice pot to win. 

"He will stay tipping away and has a lot of options in Galway. He might go for the valuable handicap hurdle there on the Saturday. He might sneak into it off bottom weight. He would definitely appreciate a bit softer ground. He is a nice horse and is very solid." 

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

1st
11/8Fav
Tote €2.42 €1.10
2nd
1.75L
7/2
€1.40
3rd
1.25L
16/1
€2.50
4th
shd
11/1
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.