Miss Florentine wins under Mikey Sheehy© Photo Healy Racing
Cork form from 20 days ago provided the answer to both division of the Thanks To All The Frontline Workers Apprentice Handicap at Roscommon. Miss Florentine was triumphant in split two for Ross O’Sullivan and Mikey Sheehy.
The 5.40 scorer, What A Feeling finished third behind Navorrosse at Mallow, whilst Miss Florentine was a place behind in fourth on that occasion.
Like What A Feeling, Miss Florentine headed the betting for her assignment, and she also picked up a first career success this evening.
Sheehy chased the leader in second on the successful Hallowed Crown filly, and asked to go about her business a furlong and a half out, the four-year-old stayed on well in the final furlong.
She beat pace-setter King’s View by two and a half lengths, with Dynakite coming home well for third, half a length back.
“She's been very consistent. We had her in at Bellewstown on Thursday and here today and it's a case in these low grade races that you run wherever you get in,” said O'Sullivan.
“In fairness Mark Gallagher did all the work on her last year.
“It wasn't the strongest of races but the man that owns her bred her as well and he's been very patient. He has the mare at home so it all helps.
“When you look at her form she had a couple of really good runs, at the Curragh and in Cork last time.
“You wouldn't be surprised by her doing that today and I just hope she improves a little bit more and goes on again.
“It was the same as the horse the other night, Longbourn, when they break well they give themselves a chance.
“She's very quick out of them, she had a couple of runs over shorter distances. She was able to break well, sit second and then it was simple as she didn't need to force it early.”
The Stewards received a report from the IHRB Clerk of the Scales, Ms. C.S. Murphy, that Sean Cleary Farrell, rider of In The Attic had presented himself at scales to weigh out at 1.8lbs above the additional 2lbs that were declared in accordance with the provisions of Rule 195(i). Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he had tried hard to lose weight but came up 1lb short despite his best efforts. Emmet Mullins, trainer of In The Attic, stated that he had given the rider short notice of the weight to be carried and was happy to allow him to carry the declared 2lbs overweight in order to feel strong. He advised the Stewards that the rider was very familiar with the gelding and he was prepared to allow additional overweight if allowed . Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed Sean Cleary Farrell to ride at 3lbs overweight as they felt that there were exceptional circumstances on this occasion. They did, however, consider that Sean Cleary Farrell was in breach of Rules 195 and 198 and having taken into consideration his previous clean record in this regard, they fined Sean Cleary Farrell €150. Furthermore, the Stewards advised him to liaise with the IHRB Senior Medical Officer Dr Jennifer Pugh in relation to his minimum weight. .
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Trade Talks (GB) trained by C. Moore was noted to have bloods at the nostrils post race.
C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Philly's Hope trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got upset in the starting stalls and was slowly away.
(GC & EM)
