Familiar Dreams gives McCann a first Graded success

Familiar Dreams certainly enhanced her value with a game Grade 3 mares' bumper victory at Punchestown.

Anthony McCann's Postponed mare is due into the Sales ring after racing at Punchestown tomorrow and has now made it four wins on the bounce.

She rallied for Aine O'Connor to regain the lead turning in, but veered markedly left approaching the final furlong and crossed the runner-up Mozzies Sister

O'Connor soon dropped her whip, but was strong on Familiar Dreams along the stands' side rail as she drove her home by half a length from Mozzies Sister who was almost track-width apart. Aurora Vega the 15/8 favourite, finished third beaten two lengths by the winner.

The winner survived a stewards' enquiry.

McCann said: “Aine gets on great with her. She did a piece of work in the Curragh last Tuesday on the heavy sand and blew us away.

“I was very concerned all day about the ground. Jamie Codd rode her twice last year and he more or less said go and run her, she’s the best horse in the race.

“She came across the track and I don’t know why. Maybe she wanted to show herself off as she’s going into the Sales ring tomorrow evening!

“It’s been a dream. I sourced her myself and have got her this far. It would be a fairytale if we could get to keep her in the yard.

“She’s the first horse into the ring tomorrow and we have to talk about what the reserve is now. I own 20 per cent of her.”

Familiar Dreams gave Anthony McCann his first Graded success as a trainer. She was also O'Connor's first Grade 3 victory after giving her her first Listed success in Fairyhouse. O'Connor is now one winner away from riding out her claim.

Familiar Dreams was bought for 4,000 guineas and won a mares' bumper in Cork before following up in Naas. Prior to today, she landed the aforementioned Listed mares' bumper at Fairyhouse.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the straight involving Familiar Dreams (GB), ridden by Miss A.B. O'Connor, placed first, and Mozzies Sister, ridden by Mr D.L. Queally, placed second, where it appeared Familiar Dreams (GB) crossed Mozzies Sister. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Mr. D.L Queally stated that as they turned in he was coming to join Familiar Dreams (GB) when she hung left and carried him across the track after which he runs on well and he felt the check cost him the race. Miss A.B. O'Connor stated that her mount was hanging left, she had her stick in the correct hand, she felt she caused no check and Mr. Queally never had to stop riding. She also felt Mozzies Sister had half a furlong to make up the ground but the best mare won. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that while Familiar Dreams (GB) had caused interference to Mozzies Sister she did not improve her finishing position as a result of this interference so they made no alteration to the Judge’s placings and took no further action.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee