Roe Deer, who is nearly seventeen hands high, is driven out by Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Roe Deer ran out a convincing winner of the Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre Handicap, under Pat Smullen (his only ride today) for Tracey Collins.
The six-year-old chestnut son of son of Vinnie Roe got off the mark on the seventh attempt at Dundalk last December, winning a handicap under Michael Hussey.
He then disappointed in another handicap at the Co Louth, finishing sixth in maiden hurdle at Gowran on his next start, before pulling up in another maiden hurdle at the Galway Festival.
Running in the famous Herb Stanley silks, the chestnut gelding was fitted with a tongue strap for the first time this afternoon, and he was sent off at 10/1.
Having raced in mainly second, he was sent to the front a furlong and a half from home and he kept on well from there to score by a length and three parts at the line. Bensoon kept on to take second at 6/1 (was 7/2 this morning and opened at 5/1 on-course) under Shane Foley for Mick Halford, while Magical Moon was a head back in third under Wayne Lordan for Michael Hourigan at 12/1. Sabaidee went off the 11/4 favourite, after opening at 10/3 on-course, but she could only manage a disappointing fifth under Colin Keane for John Murphy.
Tracey Collins said afterwards: "He likes fast ground and it was all against him at Galway.
"He is a very big horse and Pat gave him a great ride as he is difficult enough to ride on a track like this.
"He is nearly seventeen hands and here is a tight track for him.
"He is very lightly raced as he has taken a long time to come to hand. He is by Vinnie Roe and hopefully he has a good future."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
