Caffe makes the breakthrough on handicap debut

Caffe Macchiato made the breakthrough on his debut in handicap company, as he ran out a good winner of the Blackwater Handicap.

Third, fifth, and fourth on his first three starts, the Adrian Keatley trained bay was fitted with blinkers for the first time today, going off a 9/2 chance in the colours of the Chasemore Farm Partnership.

Settled behind the leaders by Shane Foley, the son of Fast Company took closer order from three furlongs out and soon got to the front.

He was pushed along to extend his advantage over a furlong out, and kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong, going to score by three and a quarter lengths. Band Of Outlaws (9/2) finished second under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph, while Spiorad Saoirse (14/1) was another half a length back in third for Ben Coen and Andy Slattery. Lethal Steps was sent off the 5/2 favourite, and he finished fourth.

"I'm delighted with that. I was happy with the mark he got. His runs were all solid in good maidens," said Keatley.

"He just fell away a bit at the back end and probably wasn't 100 percent for his first run. He looked 100 percent today and that was the perfect trip, he'll probably get a bit further.

"That's his type of ground, he probably wouldn't want good to firm.

"I was taking it one day at a time with him as I was wondering would he be up to this job, he looks more than up to it and we'll see what the handicapper does."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson