Strategic Fortune asserts under Wayne Lordan© Photo Healy Racing
We had a winner shed their maiden tag in the first split, and Strategic Fortune (50/1, clipped in from 80s on the show) also got off the mark, at the 13th time of asking, in the CorkRacecourse.ie Handicap (division two).
Wayne Lordan did the steering on the lightly-weighted Power four-year-old, and he’s owned and trained by County Kilkenny operator John O’Shea.
Out of a Jeremy mare the successful four-year-old powered along on the predominantly yielding surface through the final furlong to account for Muraahin by a length and a quarter.
Favourite Is That Love faded inside the last, after coming with what looked like a winning challenge. He ended up in fourth.
"He was on his last chance today as he has been a bit disappointing in general but has plenty of ability and the little ease in the ground seemed to help him,” said O’Shea.
"We put blinkers on to sharpen him up coming out of the stalls at Dundalk the last day but didn't seem to handle it. He was slow out again today but it seemed to help him because they went too hard up front and it seemed to fall apart.
"I mostly pre-train and break yearlings and I'll have five or six runners for the track this summer."
The Stewards informed Leonard Paul Flynn, trainer that Southwood would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
C.D. Hayes, rider of Dark Kris trained by P.J.F. Murphy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got upset in stalls.
S. Foley, rider of Uno Momento trained by Thomas Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly.
The Stewards received a report from Ms. N. O'Connor, M.V.B., Veterinary Officer, in relation to the behaviour of Mr. Daniel Dunne, Authorised Representative for Miss Katy Brown, towards her in the stable yard area. Evidence was heard from the Veterinary Officer, the Trainer and the Authorised Representative. Mr. Dunne departed the Stewards' Room prior to the conclusion of the inquiry. Having considered the report and also the behaviour of Mr. Dunne in the Stewards Room, as they could not conclude the enquiry the Stewards referred both matters to the Referrals Committee.
The Stewards requested a report from J.F. O'Shea, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Strategic Fortune, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that this is a tricky horse whose best form is on easy going. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(TW & EM)
