Focus "very professional" in victory Special Focus was entitled to gain an initial win at this stage, on start number six, and in possession of a rating of 87. The important bracket was duly achieved for the Intense Focus filly, in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Roscommon. Kevin Manning's mount was looking very threatening from early in the straight and she was ultimately a pretty convincing two and a quarter length, and length and a quarter victor over Newsman and Retinal, having hit the front a furlong out. Well-backed 2/1 favourite Camile filled the fourth spot. "Kevin said she was entitled to do that off a rating of 87," reasoned winning trainer Jim Bolger's travelling head man Ger Flynn. He added: "He said she did it well and handled the ground okay. She had run on it before. He was very happy with her and said she was very professional." The Stewards received a report from P.L. Malone , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that D.M. Redmond , rider, presented himself at scales at 2 lbs overweight for his ride on Duffys Corner (GB) trained by Thomas Cleary. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he believed that he would do the correct weight as he had ridden at this weight during this season. Thomas Cleary stated that he did not have a problem with the 2lbs overweight. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that D.M. Redmond was in breach of Rule 198(vii) and they therefore fined him €150 having taken his clean previous record into consideration. The Stewards allowed D.M. Redmond to ride at 2lbs overweight. (GC & EM)
