Michael Graham
Rio Treasure makes it five for Mullins today
Rio Treasure wins easily in Cork
© Photo Healy Racing
Rio Treasure showed her devastating turn of foot once more when pouncing in the bumper at Cork for trainer Willie Mullins.
With a mile and a quarter to go the leader Captain Carol jinked and unshipped David Mullins, leaving Montys Meadow in front. Rio was settled off the pace in fourth by jockey Aubrey McMahon.
She strode powerfully into contention over two furlongs out and quickened right away with under a quarter of a mile left. The race was over at the furlong marker as she hosed up by nine lengths at 4/1.
Montys Meadow, the 11/8 favourite, had no answer to her finishing burst and took second.
“I blame myself for Galway [2nd on 27th October]; I should have dropped her back. She ran with the choke out. She has loads of gears,” Aubrey McMahon said.
McMahon has just turned 17 and is a 6th year student in Maynooth. This was his second victory, both of which came on Rio Treasure.
This was Willie Mullins’ third winner at Cork today to go with two at Punchestown.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes