Amen Kate makes impressive winning debut for Tom Cooper No stranger to a top class bumper horse, Tralee trainer Tom Cooper looks to have unearthed another potential star in the shape of Amen Kate, an impressive winning debutant of the concluding Shanahan Power Irish EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Listowel. A well-bred sort, being a half-sister to a Listed bumper winner, out of a Grade 1 winning mare, the well backed 15/8f got her career off to the perfect start under jockey Patrick Mullins. Held up in mid division for much of the race, the daughter of Flemensfirth moved closer over two furlongs out, quickening to lead on the inside early in the straight. Keeping on under hands and heels inside the final furlong, Amen Kate had seven-and-a-half lengths in hand of her rivals at the finish. Tom Cooper said: "Today was the plan and her mother won the same race. "She was in training last year and was hard work but we were very happy with the way she reacted today. She is a very racey mare and did a bit of work up the Vic (Old Vic gallop at the Curragh) over a week ago and it was awesome. "She is proper and is green as well, as she is inclined to lug a little right. She always does that but when he (Mullins) let her down, she was straight as a gun barrel. "I thought she was very cheap and begged Ciaran (Mooney, owner) to go the extra few bob for her as I thought she was a bargain (at €75,000). We'll keep her in bumpers this season and she has started off in the right direction." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
