Vocaliser and Kevin Manning ease away from their Wexford race two opponents© Photo Healy Racing
Navegante and Spiritual Man had to miss out owing to the soft conditions at Wexford, and that left the Shelmalier Median Auction Race as a four horse affair. The market couldn't split Vocaliser and Mr Right at 2/1 each of two, but it was the former that comprehensively stamped his authority on proceedings under Kevin Manning.
Mr Right was the one for money but Jim Bolger's Vocaliser was soon making the pace and he asserted into the straight.
Manning could ease the Roscommon maiden victor from last September, down in the closing stages, and still defeat Wider World by two and a quarter lengths.
"He's done that well. He popped and we were walking and he just got a bit keen and wanted to stride on a little bit but he done it well," reported Manning.
"I was very happy, he travelled well here up into the straight and you've just got to keep them going up the hill here off the bend, it takes a bit of climbing up into the straight."
Bolger's travelling head man Ger Flynn remarked: "They went a steady pace and Kevin let him stride along in front. He is back to form now and we are happy with him."
The Stewards requested a report from J. S. Bolger, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Vocaliser, placed first, as compared with its recent form.
Gerard Flynn, Authorised representative of J.S. Bolger reported that the drop in class of todays race, being able to dictate the pace of the race and the fitting of ear plugs would have been contributing factors to todays success.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
(DM & EM)