Burke & O'Keeffe on the mark with Master

Island Master got up close home to deny the 14 year-old Tomcoole Lad in the Race In Pink Day October 28th Handicap Chase.

The Liam Burke trained victor was twice placed during the summer, and was last seen finishing fifth of sixteen at Tramore.

As big as 10/1 in early shows, the son of Turtle Island opened on-course at 11/2, before going off a well-backed 9/2 chance under Darragh O'Keeffe for owner Thomas Murphy.

Settled in mid-division, the bay victor was fourth with a circuit to race, as Tomcoole Lad attempted to make all.

Pushed along in third from the last, Island Master kept on best under pressure up the long run-in, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards, before going on to score by a length and three parts.

Tomcoole Lad (12s into 7s on-course), who lost some ground by racing wide into the straight, couldn't hold off the winner, and had to settle for second under Mark Enright for Dick Donohoe.

Donohoe also saddled the third horse home, and that was Coole Craft who was returned at 12/1 under Brian Hayes. Fairymount Boy was sent off the 4/1 favourite, and he finished a disappointing last of the seven finishers.

Burke said afterwards: "That was like watching paint dry! He was running well enough and he deserved to get one but the trouble was to place him, and I actually thought it was too soft for him today.

"In fairness to the young lad (Darragh O'Keeffe) he got stuck into him and was good. He picked up for him and he kept driving; he's not an easy ride, he's a young man's ride. He took a bit of driving and Darragh is a fit young fella.

"He has a great owner Tom Murphy, who works in the golf course in Midleton, and he is on every month before he gets the bill looking to pay you; he is a really genuine owner and I'm delighted for him to have a bit of luck.

"Tom has had great fun with him but he has thrown away a few races in the past when idling in front."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Island Master, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10 3.(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency and having taken his previous record into account, cautioned the rider.

The Stewards interviewed M.A. Enright, rider of Tomcoole Lad, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10 3.(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency and having taken his record into account suspended him for two race days.

D.N. Russell, rider of Bellgrove trained by P.M. Cloke, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake down the back.

A. Ring, rider of Seskin Flyer trained by Patrick Carey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and pulled up.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fairymount Boy, trained by Michael P. Hourigan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Stewards fined R.Donohoe, trainer, E65 for failing to fit the declared equipment to Tomcoole Lad, prior to entering the parade ring.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes