Baldonnel claims opener for Weld & Smullen The Dermot Weld-trained Baldonnel prevailed in a tight finish to the opening median auction maiden at Gowran Park this afternoon. There were plenty in with chances going to the furlong marker in the seven furlong contest as the contenders spread across the track. Pat Smullen's mount edged the verdict in the closing stages from Lord Carleton, getting up by a neck. Dudes And Diamonds, who had made most of the running plugged on in the closing stages to take third. The 10/1 winner had performed with credit in three runs previously and was making his first start since mid-July. “We had been making too much use of him and I said to the boss we should drop him in today,” revealed Smullen. “The application of blinkers helped. It was hard work but in the last 100 yards I put my stick down as I knew we were going to get there. “It's beautiful ground out there – 100 per cent safe.” (Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
