Tremendous downpours threatened to drown out the optimism that swelled around Ballybrit on day one of the Galway festival but despite the menacing showers, a record-breaking Monday night crowd of 20,035 were on hand to witness a surprise 25/1 chance battle to victory in the feature race of the day.
The Pat Hughes-trained Gamekeeper was strongest in a tight finish to claim the #40,000 G.P.T Galway (Q.R) Handicap by a neck from the game, and long time leader, Aboriginal.
At an earlier stage yesterday, Hughes was left facing the possibility of a stewards fine for not having secured a rider for the horse after the intended jockey could not get clearance to ride.
Aidan Fitzgerald, former stable lad for Dorans Pride, received the call to ride the winner but needed to waste nine pounds in 24 hours. Fitzgerald, riding the 33rd winner of his career, shed the weight, only forcing a single orange for breakfast this morning.
The winner, a half-brother to 1998 Epsom Derby winner, High Rise, had been dropped 4lbs by the handicapper following his recent run behind The Bongo Man at Killarney.
'He only cost #7,000 and I own a quarter of him myself,' said trainer Hughes.
Afterwards, Fitzgerald was handed a two day ban (August 9th and 10th) from the stewards for excessive frequency of the whip.
Charlie Swan's Aboriginal set an early pace and battled gamely to shake off the challenges of the fast finishing Dark Trojan and Darialann to keep the second place spot.
The strength-in-depth of Aidan O'Brien's juvenile team was clearly visible to all when the strongly fancied and much hyped Hemingway made virtually all to destroy his six rivals in the G.P.T Industrial Properties Maiden.
Aidan O'Brien hinted that the half-brother to high class juvenile miler Second Empire is a possible candidate for the Group 1 Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp in September.
'Michael [Kinane] was very impressed with the colt and we can now go anywhere with him. He is a big strong and mature animal.'
Returned the 2/7 favourite, Hemingway maintained a healthy two length advantage over his rivals throughout the seven furlong race. Turning for home, Kinane kicked on, shrugging aside the feeble challenges of Avorado and Summer Stock.
Heminway lengthened his stride impressively and recorded an effortless seven length victory over the Jim Bolger-trained Avorado.
Aidan O'Brien reported that Aristotle 'did a bit of work during the week' and is set to line up in the Group 1 Esat Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 9th.
Giants Causeway, who incidentally won the Prix de la Salamandre last year, has 'put on an extra 8 kilos since his Sandown victory' but remains in fine shape for the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.
Chimes At Midnight appeared to be beaten two furlongs from home but made up remarkable ground, battling back in the hands of Wayne Smith to land the G.P.T Van & Truck Rentals Handicap.
Once trained in Ballydoyleby Aidan O'Brien, Chimes At Midnight finished third behind Takali in last Saturday's Group 3 Meld Stakes at the Curragh. Current trainer, permit holder Luke Comer, never doubted the son of Danzig even though the winner was returning to the track so soon after that Curragh run.
Tony Martin declared that Clever Consul is 'unlikely' to run again this week after battling very gamely to hold off the challenge of Wonder Will He in the G.P.T Dublin Handicap Hurdle.
The five-year-old, owned by the Hard Hat Syndicate, was produced in between Bart's Choice and the improving Wonder Will He jumping the last. Norman Williamson conjured up a stirring drive, his mount reacted and the duo passed the line with a neck in hand.
Martin said: 'Norman gave him a smashing ride. I think the race at Roscommon found him out for pace and in time he may need further, but it was a smashing win and I'm delighted for the syndicate.'
Galway has always been a successful hunting ground for Dermot Weld and the Curragh trainer has his sights set on another unique record. Weld is only nine winners short of the record for the most wins in a career for a trainer in Ireland. The figure stands at 2,577.
In the G.P.T Cork Handicap, Weld's charge, Initial Figure was the subject of a substantial on course gamble - 4/1 - 7/4. But punters were left fuming after the Sadler's Wells colt trailed home a disappointing tenth. The stable reported Initial Figure coughing post race.
Bottom weight Silver Spray was the eventual winner. Turning for home, Silver Spray was cruising in between Planet Clare and Stubbles but inside the final 50 yards, jockey Seamus Heffernan needed full determination in his drive to guide the 6/1 chance to the line as On Your Marks was finishing best on the standside.
Tango Pasion, last seen on a racecourse as far back as December, made an encouraging reappearance to competition when landing the opening G.P.T Sligo Maiden Hurdle. Brian Hassett's mount did not attract much support in the ring but the 14/1 chance always looked to threaten, maintaining a prominent position throughout the two mile event.
Native Time kicked for home approaching the turn but Hassett gave his mount a few reminders and was soon looming large on the shoulder of the leader. The winner put in a bold leap at the last and pulled away from Native Time to record a comfortable four length win.
Successful trainer Donal Hassett quipped: 'He loves this good ground. We were a bit worried that he had been off the track for so long but it is fantastic to get a winner at the festival.'
Tango Pasion was providing Gort restaurateur, Sean Mullins, with his first festival owned winner.
Rightontime, ridden by Alan Crowe, provided trainer Christy Roche with a winner when securing the concluding G.P.T Contractors Plant Flat Race by four and a half lengths from Clear Move.
