Locally based trainer Michael McElhone saddled Rakamasi to win the Londis Supermarket Handicap Hurdle, at Sligo this evening, to the delight of the locally based 20 member Red Gate Syndicate.
Ridden by Johnny Allen, Rakamasi raced in mid division before making steady headway to lead after the second last flight, staying on well to eventually get the better of Jigalo by half a length.
McElhone later reported 'Rakamasi has always worked very well and the drop back in trip to two miles was a big help.'
Frank Ennis' yard is in such good form, that according to the trainer 'the cat is even flying around the yard!' and his Platonic Affair ran out the easy four and a half length winner of the Ransboro Claiming Race, under Rory Cleary.
The Cutbush handler didn't reveal plans for the cat but did report 'Platonic Affair needs soft ground and will probably go for a handicap next.'
There were no horses claimed in the race.
The winners are pouring in for jockey Paddy Flood at present and the 20 year old partnered a double, opening with Val O'Brien's Barna Bay in the Excol Petroleum Co. Maiden Hurdle.
The son of Oscar, a bumper winner at Tramore last October, got to the front before the final flight, and although headed on the run-in, rallied under a strong drive to eventually win by a neck from Native Caroline.
O'Brien later reported 'the softer ground seemed to have helped him today and he'll go for a winners' race next.'
Flood's second winner came in the Terry Casey Memorial Maiden Hurdle, on Michael Halford's impressive Do The Trick, who proved three and a half lengths too strong for Lace Your Boots.
Halford later mentioned 'Do The Trick is a fluent mover and I was a bit worried about the soft ground but Paddy said he coped with it well and will jump a fence in time.'
The opening Tattersalls Ireland Fillies Auction Race went to Jim Bolger's Derpat, who made all for a comfortable two length win, under David Moran.
Bolger was absent but was represented by his travelling head lad Ger Flynn who mentioned 'Derpat is the only horse by Invincible Spirit we have, is a very nice filly and will go for a nursery next.'
Jockey Declan McDonogh moved onto the 60 winner mark for the season, four clear of Pat Smullen at the head of the Jockeys' Championship, when riding Pat Fahy's The Hummer to win the Quayside Shopping Centre Sligo Handicap.
