Queen Of The Sand (noseband centre) just beat Golden Shoe (right) and Iron Major (cheek-pieces)© Photo Healy Racing
Iron Major has been described as a bit of a character in the past and he was reportedly matched in running on the exchanges at the basement price of 1.01 in the win and place markets on the Crowne Plaza Jockey & Trainer Rated Race at Dundalk. Queen Of The Sand showed determination in abundance to bring up a double for Ger Lyons (took the previous race with outsider Azurite here.
Colin Keane 's mount fought doggedly when things looked to be going against her from over a furlong out to oblige by a head from Golden Shoe In the end Iron Major didn't make the frame having had every chance, finishing a further head adrift, third of the seven. Maude Adams got no run inside the last and had to settle for fourth place.
Shane Lyons was on duty for the Ger Lyons yard and he commented: "She's well named as she's won a few here (three).
"She deserved that big time – she was just chinned the last time after being caught for a bit of room.
"She's an absolute superstar and she's given her owner (Declan Landy) a great bit of fun. He's a very lucky owner (an example being Nice Style who won four in a row for him in 2008).
"He does a lot of work for us around the yard – fencing and a gallop mix.
"She'll be a grand filly for next year."
The Stewards enquired into an incident early in the home straight involving He's Got Rhythm ridden by F. Lynch, unplaced and Maude Adams, ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed fourth, where it appeared He's Got Rhythm suffered slight interference and had to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards advised CD Hayes to ride with more care in future.
(AM & EM)
