Maunganui could be sales bound after Down Royal win

Maunganui won his second race of the summer when taking the Racing TV Handicap (division two) at Down Royal for Jarlath Fahey and Shane Foley.

Top-weight he may have been, and a starting price of 16/1 dismissive, but that didn’t stop Maunganui from dishing out a two and a half length beating to Liars Corner Mountain Fox got going all too late and ended up half a length back in third.

Uneasy favourite Malbas (9/4) couldn’t follow up on his Bellewstown win from Wednesday on this much slower surface and finished sixth eventually.

The gambled-on Balaclava (33s into 12s) was a place further back in seventh.

"We sort of half thought he would go through the ground as he ran well here on it as a two-year-old," said Fahey.

"We were just concerned with him carrying top weight but Shane (Foley) said he travelled well through the soft ground and loved it.

"Shane said he was loving that ground today and was always travelling the best for him. He had shown some snippets of form on heavy ground as I was saying.

"When he asked him to find a bit he found plenty for him.

"He has been running on a bit quicker surface - he won on good to firm over a mile and a quarter in Sligo.

"It was good to see him carrying top weight and surely he's going to make a nice hurdler down the line.

"He will probably be going to the Sales as the owners are breeders and not really into hurdling. I'd say more than likely he will end up in the Sales somewhere."

The Stewards requested a report from Jarlath P.Fahey, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Maunganui, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that this horse found the going too quick at Fairyhouse and preferred today's easier surface. He further reported that his charge may have resented the blinkers at Gowran last time. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

(MG & EM)