Pit Stop gets the checkered flag Michael Halford is already looking forward to 2014 with Pit Stop after the imposing son of Iffraaj made a successful debut at odds of 9/1 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. The Sheikh Mohammed-owned colt struck the front a furlong out for Conor Hoban - stable jockey Shane Foley is sidelined this evening due to a one day whip ban - keeping on well to hold Magnolia Beach by a diminishing three quarters of a length. The runner-up is certainly one to take out of the race as Emmet McNamara went for a run up the rail early in the straight before deciding to switch right out to the outside. The Ger Lyons-trained newcomer, available at 14/1 in the morning and supported on track from 5/1 into 4/1, finished strongly inside the final 150 yards and looks sure to make amends soon. The experienced Green Tag (10/1) was a further three quarters of a length back in third, with favourite Wateed in fourth. Halford said, “It was a lovely first run, and he’s a smashing big horse that we gave a bit of time. Conor gave him a lovely ride and kept things simple. “That will probably be it for the year, and he’s a horse I’d imagine will come on nicely over the winter. He has plenty of size and scope, and there should be more to come.” Emmet McNamara picked up a three-day suspension for careless riding following an incident about two furlongs out where Intensified was badly checked. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
