Tannery springs surprise in Victor McCalmont The feature race at Gowran today, the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes, went to the lesser fancied of the two David Wachman trained fillies with Tannery at 12/1 scoring under Niall McCullagh. Wachman's other runner, Chrysanthemum, was sent off the 8/13 favourite under Wayne Lordan, but she could offer no more when headed by the winner over a furlong from home. The winner, who carried just 8-9 compared to the favourite's 9-12, settled behind the leaders in the early stages before making headway into third, three furlongs from home. She was then soon ridden but responded well under pressure to lead over furlong out before staying on well in the final furlong to score by a length and a half at the line. Soon for Aidan O’Brien and David McCabe stayed on well to take second at 25/1 while the favourite plugged on to finish third a further two and a quarter lengths behind on her first start outside of the Curragh. The winner, who is a 3yo daughter of Dylan Thomas, only recorded her first win last time out at Dundalk in handicap company on her sixth career start. Winning trainer David Wachman said afterwards: "I'd say the 3yo weight allowance was a big help. "It looked like they went a good gallop. Her form isn’t great but she always showed a bit at home. "She’s a big girl and is starting to strengthen up now. There are loads of fillies stakes races for her now and she could stay up to a mile and a half. "Hopefully she will keep improving and we will have a bit of fun with her." Donal Murphy & Gary Carson
