Eddie O'Connell© Photo Healy Racing
Eddie O’Connell took the Irish Steeple at Morphettville, Adelaide, today on 2/1 favourite Rabbuka. The same Eric Musgrove-trained horse won this race last year for the Irish jockeys’ team when ridden by Ben Dalton.
O’Connell had Rabbuka, a ten-year-old Giant’s Causeway gelding, prominent throughout, saying afterwards: “We were never in any danger, it’s just great to ride a winner here.”
Shane Butler, successful in Balaclava on Wednesday, partnered 6/1 shot Show Dancer, also trained by Musgrove, but didn’t finish. That useful Australia euphemism 'lost rider' applying.
Butler then went on to finish second in the Irish Hurdle on Scotland The Brave behind short-priced favourite King Triton, but even an 11 length victory for that locally partnered winner wasn’t enough for the home team to capitalise on their narrow points advantage.
The other Irish team riders, Paul Gallagher, Niki O’Shea and O’Connell filled the third, fourth and fifth placings to amass the bulk of the points available and ensure an Irish team victory in the series, 45 points to 38.5 points.
South Australian Jockey Club officials were delighted at the Irish Day attendance at one of Morphettville’s biggest meetings: “Great day, the boys performed well, exceptionally happy, crowd of over 5,000.”
That was the final jumps meeting of the season in South Australia. A small group of 'antis' turned up to protest at the jumping races. Two of the most vocal were arrested and the others hastily dispersed.
