Charlie O'Dwyer off the mark in the saddle Son of dual Gold Cup winning rider Conor, Charlie O'Dwyer rode his first winner on Roses Queen in division two of the La Bucca Restaurants Handicap at Fairyhouse. O'Dwyer senior trains the 12/1 victor and she got home by a short head from favourite Machiavelli. Charlie's mother and Conor's wife Audrey owns Roses Queen and the Casamento filly was soon in the pace-setting role, an approach that took the four-year-old all the way to a maiden victory after 18 starts previously. “I’m 16 and doing my junior cert at the moment. It’s great to finally ride my first winner, and really nice it was for mam and dad," said the winning rider. “She can be a bit of a funny mare at times but when she runs her race she really gives it her all. “If you hit her behind the saddle she can come back to you. I just gave her one light smack coming into the final furlong and it was enough to keep her head in front. “I’m apprenticed to dad and ride out there most mornings before school.” The Stewards wished to enquire into a breach of Regulation 10.3 (G) by J. M. Sheridan (rider of Machiavelli) having viewed a recording of this race. J. M. Sheridan, accompanied by D. G. Hogan, trainer, accepted that he had three previous offences under Regulation 10 since the new whip rules came into effect. Having considered the rider's acceptance of his disciplinary record in relation to Regulation 10, the stewards in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 10.6 referred the matter to the referrals committee for consideration. Following a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Medical Officer, Dr. A. Lehane, to the effect that D. Sheehy, rider of De Mazzaro placed sixth, was injured and unable to weigh in following this race, the Stewards allowed the placings to stand in accordance with Rule 230 (i). (AM & EM)
