Footprint (third from right, white/orange/blue colours) at Sligo© Photo Healy Racing
< Rayna had to dig deep to give John Oxx back-to-back wins in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap, the feature race at Sligo on Wednesday evening.
The Selkirk filly (11-8fav) was always going well in search of the four-timer and looked to have put the race to bed when kicking clear over a furlong from home.
However, Dragon Fei came with a little rattle and the 11-8 favourite was all out to hang on by a neck, completing a double for jockey Gary Halpin in the process.
There was success for the Cleary family in the Connacht Derby Handicap as Rory rode Queen Of Alba (9-1) to victory for his father Tom.
The Rock Of Gibraltar mare never looked back after taking it up from front-runner Third Dimension as they entered the straight and came home five and a half lengths clear of Corona Borealis and Stony Grey who kept on for second and third respectively.
There was a blanket finish in the Foley's Bar & Off Licence Handicap, in which Footprint got the verdict by head from Lady Ultra
The Pat Martin-trained seven-year-old recorded his third Sligo win as he came wide with a late flurry to score at odds of 13-2.< Vocal Nation (9-2) prevailed by a short head in a thrilling finish to the opening Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Auction Maiden.
Newtown Bomb produced a brave attempt to make all, but Jim Bolger's debutant showed an excellent attitude to get up in the shadow of the post.
Gary Halpin opened his account for the night when steering Splashtop to a comfortable success in the Ladies Day At Sligo 7th August Nursery Handicap.
Patrick Prendergast's filly (100-30fav) quickened nicely to pass Cleano a furlong out and pull two and a half lengths clear.
Supporters of Back Off Mate weren't given much to worry about as the 4-1 shot landed the Sligo Weekender Apprentice Maiden by a comfortable two and a half lengths from Fire Belt
