Phil's Dream and Donagh O'Connor (near side) with Below Deck © Photo Healy Racing
Phil's Dream caused a dramatic 50/1 upset when leaving behind poor form to win Dundalk's opening Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap today on his first attempt running over five furlongs.
Previously unplaced and carrying form-figure of '650/900-0', the Mehmas four-year-old dwelt leaving the stalls under Donagh O'Connor, and while later meeting in-running traffic a furlong out, finished well poking his nose in front of runner-up Below Deck at the line.
The stewards later held an enquiry as 13th-placed Haumea drawn in 1, gained a fractional advantage having anticipated the start and left the stalls early, but the result stood.
Winning trainer John McConnell reported “he has been frustrating. He has always worked well and hasn't delivered and we have tried everything. Derek (Kierans, owner) has been very patient with him.
"He was dropping down to five (furlongs) and, looking at that, he would definitely stay six. We thought he would run very well at six two runs back but didn't, and we couldn't find a reason. Maybe the whole thing will make a man of him, and he might go forward.
"Somebody must have had a little whisper in his ear telling him he was in the last-chance saloon!”
He added “it is great to get him up and Donagh did very well there because he got checked just when he needed to get out and got him up on the line.
"He'll keep going over five and six here. He (handicapper) can't be too harsh as it was a nose and sometimes with these sprinters when the penny drops, it really drops."
Quotes from Michael Graham
