Whelan galvanises Irish Mint to victory

Ronan Whelan certainly earned his riding fee on Irish Mint as he drove the filly to victory 50 yards from home in the mile and a quarter apprentice handicap.

The three-year-old filly was pushed along over three furlongs out in a never dangerous sixth. She was ridden at the two pole and started to improve entering the straight where she was soon fourth. She then stayed on strongly and grabbed the lead close home to win by a length and a quarter at 16/1.

“She was a little bit green in her first handicap and is still a little bit weak. When she steps up and goes further we'll see the best of her,” Ronan Whelan said.

“She's a lady and is easy to ride, she tries hard. She can only improve.”

Patrick Prendergast had put Irish Mint in her first handicap here this evening. Her three previous runs in maiden company had yielded a best finish of fifth. Rathealy and Gary Halpin were looking for a run over a furlong out but were trapped on the rail. When she did get in the clear she finished well for third at 7/1. She was three parts of a length adrift of Temasek Star (11/4 joint favourite). Keyboard Melody the other 11/4 joint favourite, cut out the pace but weakened to fourth.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson