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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Leonard dictates from the front on Allegio

Sat 31st Mar 2018, 15:52

Allegio and Killian Leonard Allegio and Killian Leonard
© Photo Healy Racing

Allegio produced a powerful front-running performance to land the featured Cork Handicap this afternoon at the Mallow venue.

The Denis Hogan-trained gelding was having his second outing of the year having finished fifth on his seasonal debut at Dundalk earlier this month.

Killian Leonard bounced out in front and asked his mount to quicken two-and-a-half furlongs from home.

The well backed 5/1 shot (14/1 in morning) galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a six-length winning margin over Rickrack

Irish Lincolnshire winner On The Go Again was sent to post the 11/8 favourite but could never land a blow in fourth.

“The ground is very testing and I knew from watching the first two races that they weren't going to come from too far back,” said Leonard.

“I was happy enough to bounce out and so was Denis. He was happy enough to leave it up to me and I was happy to dictate from the front with a low weight.

“When I kicked off the bend he kept lengthening for me and there was no catching him.

"I was always comfortable and hadn't really hit top gear two down. I was nursing him and holding him in the ground as it's kind of pitching on you. I was fairly confident I'd win two down."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

1st
5/1
Tote €6.90 €3.20
2nd
6L
5/1
€3.60
4th
2.75L
11/8Fav
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.