Kalium and Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Patrick Mullins had an interesting tale to relay after winning the bumper at Killarney, Sean Doyle's first-timer Kalium (4/1) taking the An Excellent Choice (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race in style in the hands of the record breaking amateur.
"I was actually on a stag weekend in Chester and Sean (Doyle) texted me as I was getting on the plane on Friday so I came home a bit early to ride him and it was worth it. I think a few of the lads might have backed this fella as well," said Mullins (got a 2-day whip ban).
"Normally it's not a good thing when you get a call to ride a horse at 9.50am, as it means somebody else has turned him down, but you take notice with the Doyles, as they are fairly sharp.
"He isn't the biggest but handled that good ground well. Whether he'd handle the heavy ground I don't know but with his pedigree you'd imagine he would.
"There was no pace so I lobbed along in front and he kept going. He was well able to gallop and was impressive."
Running in the ownership of the trainer's brother, Donnchadh, four-year-old Gentlewave gelding Kalium had no less than nineteen lengths to spare over Derryville at the finish.
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr P.W. Mullins, rider of Kalium (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Mr. P.W. Mullins stated that he had ridden a front running race and was unaware he was so far clear at that point in the race. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found that Mr. P.W. Mullins was in breach of R.10.3(c)(The unnecessary hitting of a horse that clearly has its race won or has obtained its maximum placing) and in considering his record in this regard(first offence) they suspended him for two racedays. Mr. S. McDonogh was not present for this enquiry.
Mr T. Hamilton, rider of Florida Strait trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.
Shane Fenelon, rider of Kingdom Calling (FR), trained by Eoin Christopher McCarthy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount gurgled down the back straight.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Florida Strait, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(TW & EM)
