Tithonus and Gary Halpin beat Cairdiuil and Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Hogan made the sixth day of Galway 2016 a never to be forgotten meeting for himself and his family when a 116/1 brace was brought up for his County Tipperary yard by Tithonus under Gary Halpin in the Ladbrokes Red Day Handicap.
Hogan's earlier winner, Jack The Wire was owned by his father Martin, whilst Tithonus (12/1) goes in the colours of the T & M Racing Partnership.
Halpin soon had Tithonus in front, he was ridden two furlongs out and he extended to go and win his race from over a furlong out.
For the second time this week Cairdiuil looked like he might swoop to conqueror inside the last, but he came up short at the finish by three parts of a length.
Favourite Beau Satchel (7/4), bidding for a second win of the week, finished three and three parts of a length back in third.
"We had a slow start to the week, we are only getting going! I knew our best chances were today. They all ran okay during the week, one or two disappointed. This is just brilliant for these owners. They started off with me, they were the first people in the yard and had horses like Luke's Benefit, Missie Ella and Sea's Aria," said Hogan.
"They are great to deal with and I enjoy training for them. It's great to repay them by training a winner here. They have been so loyal to me. They lost a good horse last week in Belarussian. He was supposed to come here for a mile and a half race. He was second in Leopardstown and then broke his leg after pulling up in Ballinrobe after he was beaten.
"Tithonus is a versatile horse. It's strange, he was second in two maiden hurdles over two miles and then it was looking like he doesn't get a mile. His trip on the Flat seems to be six or seven furlongs so it's a strange one. We have one more coming up with a chance now so hopefully."
The Stewards interviewed Gary Paul Halpin, rider of Tithonus, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3.(f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the stewards suspended him for two race days.
(DM & EM)
