Perzzini and JJ Slevin win the Gowran Park Maiden Hurdle Healy Racing © Photo Healy Racing
Jockey J J Slevin adopted similar tactics to those that were successful in the first race, when making all the running on Perzzini to win the Gowran Park Racing Club Maiden Hurdle at the Kilkenny track.
Sixth on his hurdling(and stable) debut at Cork in July, the Lorna Fowler trained five-year-old didn't jump with a great degree of fluency on that occasion.
Having unseated at Kilbeggan last time, the Shantou gelding was sent off at 6/1, in a market dominated by 4/5f Littlefoot
Sent straight to the front by Slevin, Perzzini again made a few novicey mistakes but travelled easily and had everything bar Monsieur Azul in trouble early in the straight. The latter arrived up on the outside going well two out but had no more to give when untidy at the last.
Perzzinin found plenty for pressure to stay on to record a comfortable three-and-a-half length success.
Having been held up towards rear, Littlefoot could never get involved, merely staying on to finish a well beaten fourth.
Lorna Fowley, “He has his own way of doing things and I thought he was a bit unlucky at Kilbeggan the last day where he was running a lovely race.
“He was more settled today and clearly loved the ground.
“He’s matured since his last race and JJ was very good on him. They find a rhythm and you just have to let him jump his own way and then there is no problem. I hope we are on an upward trajectory now.
“It’s great for his owner/breeders who are here today and they have been patient.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
