Michael Graham
It's Truly Delightful for the Clearys
Truly Delightful, red cap, hits the line first in Killarney
© Photo Healy Racing
Truly Delightful overcame carrying 9-12 in the Killarney Vintners Handicap over the extended mile in Killarney.
The four-year-old filly’s SP was 9/1, despite her winning last-time out in a mile and one handicap in Gowran. That nudged her handicap mark up to 62 from 56. Killourney Empress who won nicely in Clonmel last Thursday evening was all the rage with the punters who sent her off the 7/2 favourite. She didn’t have the clearest of runs on the rail but stayed on between horses to grab third.
Meanwhile, Truly Delightful was busy fending off 25/1 shot Future Earner who couldn’t quite get on terms.
Trainer Thomas Cleary reported: “She’s in right good form and very honest. It was nice to see the rain come. She likes it soft. She had a bad draw, but Rory gave her a good ride. Hopefully there’ll be a drop of rain for Galway.”
Thomas Cleary’s son Rory was in the saddle. Prior to these two wins obtained by Truly Delightful, her only other success came on heavy ground in a mile maiden at Listowel in September last year.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes