Declan McDonogh is enjoying his best ever season and he moved alongside Michael Kinane in fourth place in the jockeys table when partnering an 807/1 treble, highlighted by the feature race victory of Senor Benny in the Abergwaun Stakes at Cork on Saturday.
Senor Benny can certainly lay claim to being the most improved horse in training having gone from a handicap win in Ballinrobe off a rating of 60 to this Listed five furlongs success in less than two months. The five-year-old looked in trouble when ridden along in fourth place over a furlong out but he responded well to win going away by two and a half lengths from the pace-setting Moon Unit.
Colossus disappointed on his belated seasonal reappearance, dropping away tamely after halfway with Seamus Heffernan reporting that his mount did not handle the ground.
'That must be the first horse owned and trained in Galway to win a Listed five furlongs race,' said proud owner/trainer Kevin McDonagh before adding, 'I thought he'd win today in that soft ground, and he'll go now for the Listed Knockaire Stakes over seven furlongs at Leopardstown on October 31. If he wins that we will probably scrap plans to go hurdling, and he could also go over to France.'
McDonogh followed up in the mile fillies handicap when Toricella overhauled Purest Gem well inside the final furlong to record a 20/1 (paid over 88/1 on the Tote) shock, while first reserve Market Mover completed the treble when always prominent in division one of the mile maiden.
Forecourt looks one to note for next year after routing the opposition under Fran Berry in the seven furlongs two-year-old maiden. Charles O'Brien's charge made all and cruised clear inside the final quarter mile to beat Ardea Brave by an effortless seven lengths.
Keith Maher (22) from Portlaw, Co. Waterford partnered his first winner when Nathan Jones appreciated the soft ground in the six furlongs apprentice handicap. The Pat Flynn-trained gelding was always prominent, and had his 15 rivals toiling when shooting clear well over a furlong out to beat Kompressor by a comfortable two lengths.
'Keith joined me this year and I'm delighted for him as he's a really good worker around the yard. His riding is improving all the time and he's got lovely balance,' said Flynn.
Cathy Gannon is now seven clear in her quest to become the first female champion apprentice in Ireland after taking the two-year-old auction race aboard Moyenne. The Tim Doyle-trained filly showed good speed throughout, and drew clear inside the final furlong to beat Mount Klinovec by three and a half lengths to leave the Dubliner on the 33 winner mark for the season.
Alan Magee
