Shawaf wins under Shane Foley© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Foley doubled his score in the finale on the polytrack tonight, aboard the Damian English-trained Shawaf (6s into 4s) in the DundalkStadium.com Maiden.
Foley won for his boss Jessica Harrington earlier, on Baron Wild in the nursery, and he completed the 26 and a half to one double on Shawaf by a length and a half.
It’s now 87 plays 82 in the battle between Foley and Keane in the race to be champion jockey, with Mrs Harrington’s stable jockey trailing by five.
Shawaf broke well to lead, and he proceeded to make all.
A length clear halfway, the grey was ridden a furlong out, keeping on well to get off the mark at the 13th time of asking. Stalingrad followed Shawaf home.
“I'm delighted with that. It was getting a bit frustrating but it wasn't for lack of honesty, he's a very genuine horse and just kept bumping into one and had a couple of bad draws,” said English.
“He'll tip away here for the winter, back into handicaps and we'll look at anything from six to a mile.
“He showed a lot of speed there. I never thought he was a five furlong horse but we might toy with it over the winter.
“We have plenty of options and we'll have plenty of fun with this lad.”
The Stewards enquired into an incident before the first bend involving Wishbone ridden by R.C. Colgan, unplaced, Power Over Me ridden by B.M. Coen, unplaced and Just My Type (GB), ridden by D.W. O'Connor, unplaced, where it appeared interference may have occurred.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanations offered and took no further action.
W.J. Lee, rider of Grey Streak trained by K.J. Condon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount missed the break.
B.M. Coen, rider of Power Over Me trained by J.P. Murtagh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was bumped before the first bend.
(GC & EM)
