McAuley on the mark with another 2,000 guineas winner

James McAuley's Hilltop Racing registered a second winner in six days with a 2,000 guineas-purchase at Dundalk today as the owner/trainer's Approach The City landed the Hollywoodbets Horse Racing And Sports Betting Claiming Race and was later claimed back by connections.

Both Approach The City and McAuley's Sunday Limerick winner Behind The Wall were bought on consecutive days at Tattersalls' October HIT Sale for the just 2,000 guineas each, with both horses collecting €14,100 in winning prizemoney in recent days.

Following Approach The City's head win, McAuley later commented “he's always shown far more at home than he has on the track.

“To be fair to him, Shane (Foley, winning jockey) said that he just might benefit from a tongue-tie and I think that made the difference.

“He said he might be better carrying more weight in a lower class race. We might just give him a pop over hurdles and see if he takes to that. He has a bit of size and scope.”

Approach The City was later the subject of a friendly claim, with no takers for any of the beaten horses.

Quotes from Gary Carson