Weld and Roche dominant at Gowran Leigh Roche made the most of his day in the number one seat for Dermot Weld, with Pat Smullen on the sidelines through suspension, bringing up the first treble of his career (at odds of 93 and a half to one) when 20/1 chance Magic Kitten landed the Family Fun Day June 21st Handicap at Gowran. Whilst the earlier Weld and Roche winners, Radanpour (4/5) and Tuk Tuk (6/4) were expected, the same couldn't be said of Magic Kitten. However, better was always likely from the successful American-bred, with blinkers deployed for his initial go in handicap company. Magic Kitten, on his first outing away from Dundalk, came through from the rear to launch his bid two furlongs out. Roche got the three-year-old to the front in the final hundred yards for a one and a half length verdict over Pat Harkin. Roche remarked: "I would have been happy with one, I was expecting two, but three is great!" "He got an excellent ride from Leigh. They went very quick in front and that's why they cut out and he came home. He has gone from the polytrack to here and I'm just delighted he has won a race," commented Weld. F.M. Berry, rider of Athenry Boy, trained by J.T.Gorman, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled. (DM & EM)
