Super Focus (noseband) wins under Shane Kelly© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Kelly doubled his score in race three at Dundalk as Tom Cleary's Super Focus came out on top in the Ireland v England Stable Staff Soccer Match 2016 (Newmarket) Handicap.
Tom's son Rory was on the mark in race two on Damian English's Red Avenger whilst Kelly's earlier victor was Aggression for his boss Michael O'Callaghan in the opener.
Here Super Focus chased the leaders, got to the front inside the final furlong, before holding Honor Oak (had to switch in the run) by three parts of a length.
"That's good that's she done that. It was her third run up here and she had run very well the other two times," said Cleary.
"It's nice for the owner (Gerard Jude Murphy) as that's his first horse. He won 6.3 million on the lotto last August. I met him in Galway and he asked me if I would get him a horse.
"Lads were advising him to spend big money but I said I'd get him a little handicapper and he'd have good fun - this is her.
"He's never enjoyed anything as much as that and got a great kick from it. He's from Kilmaine (in Mayo) so grew up in the same place as me.
"I'm looking forward to coming up here every few weeks with her now."
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Coach Bombay ridden by C.J. Gavin, and trained by Adrian Brendan Joyce.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. C.J. Gavin, rider, stated that he was instructed to jump off at the rear, get into the race around the final bend and come with one run.
He added that he took a pull after leaving the stalls and dropped in last. He felt that his mount lost his action entering the straight and he left him alone until asking for a late effort by pushing him in the closing stages.
He advised the Stewards that he slapped his mount down the shoulder on the home turn but felt the animal to be gone wrong behind, had hung on the first bend but did not change legs at any stage.
He confirmed that he rode to his strongest ability in the closing stages.
Adrian Brendan Joyce, trainer, confirmed the instructions and advised the Stewards that this animal had not raced for about eleven months and had recovered from two suspensories behind.
He expressed complete dissatisfaction with the ride.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Coach Bombay was clinically abnormal post race.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations and furthermore advised C.J. Gavin that he must be seen to make more of an effort in the future.
The Stewards also found C.J. Gavin to be in breach of Rule 213 by failing to report at the first instance that his mount had lost his action and consequently suspended him for 1 raceday.
C.J. Gavin, rider of Coach Bombay, trained by Adrian Brendan Joyce, reported at a Stewards' Enquiry that his mount lost his action during this race.
(GC & EM)
