The grey Mantracker comes through to beat Andesh© Photo Healy Racing
The Willie McCreery trained newcomer Mantracker landed a gamble in the opener at Killarney, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Available at 16/1 last night, the grey son of Fast Company came in for plenty of market support, touching 9/2 on-course before going off a 4/1 chance.
Settled in mid-division by Billy Lee he was fifth entering the straight. He made good progress into second at the two furlong pole, and was ridden to challenge the leader with 200 yards left to race.
He edged to the front in the closing stages, and had half a length to spare at the line, with the 4/6 favourite Andesh having to settle for second under Pat Smullen for Mick Halford. South East was another length back in third for Kevin Manning and Jim Bolger at 8/1.
McCreery, who trains the winner for owners Britesavers Limited, said afterwards: "I was waiting for that race for a while as he's a Median Auction horse. I thought the favourite would be very hard to beat but this lad has always gone well and just needed a bit of time.
"He's a grand big horse with a lovely attitude. I love the stallion and he's been very good to me.
"We won't do too much with him this year. I could bring him back to seven because he's going to be sharper after that and it's a hard track to win around first time.
"He'll go on any ground, and the faster the ground the better."
The winner was bought for 26,000 pounds at the Goffs UK Premier Sale at Doncaster last August.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
