Donal Murphy
Another Derby for Placere and Carberry
The white-faced Placere comes home in front under Nina Carberry
© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the Ladies Derby over the course and distance last year, Placere and Nina Carberry followed up in the Tipperary Crystal Amatuer Derby Handicap for trainer Dick Brabazon.
The chestnut five-year-old daughter of Noverre ran out a very easy eight length winner of the Ladies Derby under Carberry in July of 2012, but she failed to follow up on five starts since.
Sent off an 8/1 chance she raced towards the rear for much of the contest before improving on the wide outside in the early straight.
She hit the front a furlong from home, and quickly went clear, going on to record a comfortable three and a half-length success. Back Off Mate kept on to take second at 14/1 under Niall Kelly for Arthur Moore, while Hurricane Ridge (14/1) was a head back in third for the mother and daughter team of Jessica and Kate Harrington. Ancient Sands completed the placings a further length back in fourth under Patrick Mullins for Joanna Morgan at 6/1, while the 11/2 favourite Zip Wire for Sarah Lynam and her father Eddie, finished ninth.
Dick Brabazon said afterwards: "We haven’t had the ground for her all year and there was just enough juice in it today.
"It is great to get her back in form again. It has taken me a while to realise it but she is a mile and a half filly and something like the Naas October Handicap with a cut in the ground would be ideal for her."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee