Harbanaker and Robert Whearty© Photo Healy Racing
Harbanaker added to a victory at Leopardstown last year when again scoring over a mile in division two of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Handicap at Dundalk.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding went off an easy-to-back 4/1 chance and appeared to have an uphill struggle when coming under pressure early in the straight.
However, he responded well to Robert Whearty’s urgings and came home strongly on the inner to lead inside the final 100 yards to beat 11/4 favourite Riliya by three-quarters-of-a-length. Barretstown was the same distance further adrift in third.
Whearty said, "It worked out well in the end, they went a nice strong gallop which suited me. He was tough at the end and battled well to the line.
“He's a consistent sort and I'm just glad it worked out for the boys (Strawberry Seven Syndicate) today. That's my tenth winner.”
(GC & AM)
