Bertie Le Belge (yellow cap) beats Itorio© Photo Healy Racing
Colin Keane, who lost his right to claim at Gowran on Tuesday, and his employer trainer Ger Lyons are maximising the jockey's grace period with his three pounds claim and that edge made the difference with a dramatic win on their Bertie Le Belge winner of the Visit The Leopardstown Circle Lounge Race at Leopardstown today.
Keane, who finishes his 48 hour race period today, partnered a winner at Fairyhouse yesterday and added to that with a last gasp win on Bertie Le Belge in today's contest. Itorio held a clear lead for much of the home straight and looked sure to win with a furlong to race, However Pat Smullen's mount lost momentum when briefly bumping against the running rail in the closing stages before tiring close home as 'Bertie' swept past near the line for a half length win.
Afterwards Lyons stated “I never thought for a moment up the straight he'd win and I don't think he learned as much as I would have liked at the Curragh on his debut. He came out wide then and was away from the other horses and it was like his first run tonight.
“There's plenty of improvement in him and you have to love his attitude but that's as fast as he would want it. He'll get further and we'll take our time with him and look to the Futurity Stakes down the road.
“He is very much 'on the leg' and is a next year horse.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
