Report | Dromahane 30th December 2019

There was some outstanding fare at Monday’s Duhallow-Kanturk meeting at Dromahane and Lady Shirocco initiated the opening leg of a two-timer for Newmarket, North Co. Cork-based handler/rider Turlough O’Connor, by capturing the first division of the Goffs UK January Sale four-year-old mares’ maiden.

The eventual winner, having made a pleasing debut by coming sixth to Fresh Appeal at Boulta a little over three weeks earlier, was always well placed in the main group as Altumanina tried to make all.

Lady Shirocco forged to the front after the last and then held on admirably to beat Esme Shelby by a short head.

O’Connor, posting an initial career double said: “She’s a lovely filly that’s out of a seven-time winner [Estarana].”

Turlough O’Connor completed his brace by steering newcomer Well Chimed, whom he tends to for his aunt Irene Walsh, to a popular success in the five-year-old and upwards adjacent hunts maiden.  Well Chimed asserted from three out to beat Grey Atlantic Way by six lengths.

“He got a bad cut as a four-year-old. He’s only half fit and will go for a winners’ race now,” said O’Connor of the six-year-old Well Chimed.

Derek O’Connor likewise departed with two winners, both supplied by Robert Tyner, and he initiated his brace aboard Not A Loss in the second division of the Goffs UK January Sale four-year-old mares’ maiden.

Not A Loss, still leading when falling at the last in Fresh Appeal’s Boulta maiden, benefited from frontrunning tactics.  She jumped soundly en route to defeating the only other finisher Ask The Lady by six lengths.

Of the winner, a daughter of the listed chase winner Cosorrig that represents Galwegian breeder Daniel Corry, Tyner said: “She’s a filly that we’ve loved from day one. She has a nice bit of class about her and will now go to the track.”

Natural Fit, who placed on three occasions last term, completed the Tyner/O’Connor brace in The Committee five and six-year-old mares’ maiden. Natural Fit overcame an anxious moment two out to dismiss Blue Milan by three parts of a length.

Tyner of the Traveling Light Syndicate-owned Natural Fit said: “She deserved to win. She’s a second-season mare and would be ideal for the Gain Mares’ Final.”

The Mick Goff-trained Clondaw Bertie posted a sublime debut success in the first division of the Goffs UK January Sale four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Clondaw Bertie, a €21,000 graduate of the 2018 Goffs Land Rover sale that’s out of a half-sister to five-time Grade 1 winner Direct Route, led after four out and he was well on top when closest pursuer Tullybeg fell at the last.

Winning handler Goff said: “He has a lot of class and he’s a lovely horse that you could do anything with. I’d imagine that he will now be sold.”

Sam Curling’s grey Vanillier made a winning return in the second division of the Goffs UK January Sale four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Vanillier, a €40,000 acquisition at the 2018 Goffs Land Rover sale that represents Carolyn Hyde, was always on the pace and the Pa King-ridden son of Martaline mastered Fishkov from the last to score by three parts of a length.

“Vanillier is a lovely horse that jumps well and wants soft ground. He will now go to the sales,” said Curling.

Paul Cashman’s Movethechains, having fallen two out on his debut at Boulta in late November, came from behind with Michael O’Sullivan to collect the Goffs UK January Sale & Pegus five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

Movethechains, acquired for €32,000 as a foal, picked up the running 100 yards out to dismiss the frontrunning Time Leader in the colours of Cashman’s mother Catherine.

Cashman’s former Castlelyons hurling team-mates Timmy McCarthy, Aidan Barry, Sean Cotter and Trevor Hickey all hold an interest in Movethechains.

Cashman said: “That was definitely the ride of the day from Michael [O’Sullivan] as he held onto the horse and timed it to perfection on him.”

Cal Shine made his initial mount on Macs Legend a winning one by guiding Gerry Kelleher’s stable star to success in the Singletons SuperValu novice riders open.

Macs Legend went for home three out and held on valiantly to deny Reigning Supreme by one-length.

“We’ll try and run up a sequence and it would be lovely to go to our local meeting at Aghabullogue with him on Sunday week January 12th,” said Kelleher of the Shane Prenderville-owned Macs Legend.