Colm O'Donoghue was happy to be back aboard a winner in Ireland, on Master Of Time© Photo Healy Racing
Colm O'Donoghue is back at Ballydoyle now after a spell in Hong Kong and he clearly enjoyed his success on Master Of Time in the Follow Dundalk On Facebook Handicap.
O'Donoghue remarked: "I really enjoyed Hong Kong. I got loads of rides and it was a great experience. I'm only back a few weeks and it's great to get a winner."
Equipped with cheek-pieces for the first time on his handicap debut after three efforts in maiden company, Master Of Time kept out of trouble up front and he had his rivals beaten off a furlong out. Political Policy the favourite, didn't have a completely trouble free passage. He came through to give chase to Master Of Time from the furlong pole but he was never going to trouble the winner and was two and three parts of a length in arrears at the line.
Winning trainer Paul Deegan disclosed: "I thought he'd definitely be in the money. He did a good bit of work a couple of weeks ago which made me think he'd win this.
"Although since then a few bits he's done made me start to doubt a little bit.
"He's a fine big horse and there's plenty of stamina on the dam's side.
"He'll come back here for something and eventually he'll go to the July Sales. He'll make a nice jumper for someone."
The Stewards enquired into incidents inside the final one and a half furlongs involving Fine Cut, ridden by W.M.Lordan, placed fifth, Political Policy, ridden by S. Foley, placed second, High Stand (GB), ridden by L.P.Dempsey, unplaced, Fix It, ridden by N.G. McCullagh, placed third and Too Many Diamonds, ridden by R.P.
Cleary, unplaced, where in the first incident it appeared that High Stand (GB) received some interference from Fix It and in a separate incident Too Many Diamonds checked when racing between Fine Cut and Fix It. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards advised N.G. McCullagh to ride with more care. Mr J.P. Murtagh,trainer,attended this enquiry with his Apprentice Jockey L.P. Dempsey.
(AM & EM)
