The three-day September meeting drew to a close in unseasonably sweltering conditions at Galway yesterday but a familiar name trained the feature race winner as D K Weld sent out Megec Blis to record a facile victory in the Donnelly's of Barna Race.
Pat Smullen had the filly in front soon after the seven furlongs starting point, and drove her clear off the home bend to beat the unlucky-in-running Dangle by an impressive six lengths. 'She seemed to enjoy it out in front and did it very well. She's an improving filly and deserves to go for a Listed race next,' said Weld's son Chris.
Cathy Gannon is in pole position to become the first female champion apprentice but surprisingly recorded her first win at Ballybrit when getting Adarila up close home in the latest leg of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Series. The Aga Khan's home-bred filly was produced between horses inside the final furlong to beat Caherme by a neck, leaving Gannon seven clear in the title race on the 28 winner mark for the season.
'Cathy is riding with a lot of confidence and she was told to sit and take her time. I'd say this filly will head for a handicap next,' said John Oxx's assistant Jimmy O'Neill.
Hills Of Aran showed the benefit of his debut at Gowran and a step in distance when drawing clear for Jamie Spencer in the straight to beat Sky High Flyer by four and a half lengths in the two-year-old maiden. The runner-up made a promising debut coming from well off the pace and showing definite signs of greenness, while third placed Helvetio was another newcomer to note.
Babble On, runner-up on her four previous starts, opened her account on the Flat in style when driven clear inside the final furlong by Jerry O'Dwyer to beat Langkawi Bay by four lengths in the mile handicap. 'She had no luck in running here last year but at least we knew she would handle the track. She will probably go to Roscommon next Monday,' said trainer Seamus Fahey of the mare bred by his brother Michael.
Tom Hogan's decision to buy back the veteran Penny Rich from Britain for 1,000 sterling in June has really paid off as the ten-year-old recorded his second win since in the mile and a half handicap. Fran Berry brought the gelding with a well-timed challenge in the straight to beat Peruvian Athlete by two lengths, and a claimer at Listowel may be next on the agenda.
Model Son is another likely to figure at Listowel after putting up a fine weight carrying performance under Davy Russell in the three miles handicap hurdle. The top-weight gave 39lb and a four length beating to Cratloe Castle, and trainer Donie Hassett said, 'He should make a lovely chaser, and will go over fences sooner rather than later.' Shay Barry was taken to hospital for observation after Notlackinginstyle was brought down by Rosses Folly before halfway.
It Was'nt Me was never far off the pace in the two and a quarter miles handicap hurdle, and was sent on between the final two flights by Barry Geraghty to beat Nickels N Dimes by four and a half lengths.
Alan Magee
