Limerick staged its first ever Listed race on Saturday, and the Martin Molony Stakes provided a cracking finish when Maharib got the better of Mkuzi in the E50,000 feature event.
Pat Shanahan was seen at his strongest on Sheikh Hamdan's home-bred colt, who dug deep in the final furlong to overcome uneasy favourite Mkuzi by two lengths. 'He got the mile and a half well, and Pat gave him a smashing ride,' said Ray Carroll, representing trainer Dermot Weld. Molony, one of the leading dual purpose riders of the early post-war era, was on hand to make the presentations to winning connections.
Sand N Sea stepped up on the form of her first three outings to take the juvenile auction fillies maiden. The 16/1 chance travelled well under Tadhg O'Shea to lead a furlong out, and kept on under pressure to beat Valentina Guest by a length. 'She had been running on her nerves a bit before, and Tadhg carried out his instructions well. She cost just 1,000 euro at Goffs, and will probably go for a winners' auction race,' said trainer Tom Hogan.
Catherine Gannon earned plaudits from trainer Eddie Lynam after partnering her fourth winner of the season when Lady Kia made all in the seven furlongs handicap. 'Catherine gave her a super ride as she steadied her before the straight and then kicked off the bend,' said the Dunshaughlin handler.
Uncle Tiny quickened up nicely for Seamus Heffernan inside the final quarter mile of the mile maiden to beat Sandtrap by four and a half lengths, and trainer David Wachman commented, 'He's a big horse who's only now getting stronger, and we'll step him up in class.'
Colm O'Donoghue recorded his third win of the campaign when Park Leader comfortably beat the staying on Trance by a length and a half in the mile apprentice handicap.
Rayshan was installed the 4/9 favourite in the concluding mile and a half maiden, and John Oxx's charge gave supporters no worries when drawing clear in the straight under Fran Berry to beat Sarobar by four and a half lengths.
Alan Magee
