Farrawaybay and Derek O'Connor © Photo Healy Racing
Farrawaybay (9/1) took the second split of the 2m5f handicap hurdle for horses rated 80-95 under a trademark waiting ride from Derek O’Connor.
O’Connor settled the Stowaway mare in mid-division and made steady progress on the final circuit. Moving into third after the second last, the winner stayed on well on the run-in to collar Well Joey in the final fifty yards and win by half a length.
It was a winning handicap debut for the 7-year-old who had run respectably on her first racecourse appearance when seventh to subsequent Aintree winner Me Too Please at Down Royal.
Winning trainer Mark Molloy said: “She's a nice mare, I thought she'd go close in a bumper but it didn't really happen.
“Then we went over hurdles and she had a few niggly little problems which thankfully all came right for today.
“Galway is lovely, I love the place so it's a special day any day you win here and with Derek O'Connor riding as well it's a pleasure.
“We'll keep it small and simple with her. She's at a level and we'll see what we can find for her.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
