Kerkeni is driven out by Declan McDonogh to see off System Overload and Gary Carroll© Photo Healy Racing
Kerkeni got off the mark on his fifth career start, as he took the last at Naas, the Live The Dream With Tote Median Auction 3yo Maiden, scoring under Declan McDonogh for his boss John Oxx.
The son of Manduro, who was placed twice last year as a juvenile, finished second on his seasonal reappearance at Cork earlier this month, after attempting to make all.
Drawn on the wide outside this evening in stall seventeen, the victorious bay gelding broke quickly, and was soon settled just behind the leaders in fourth.
He was delivered with his challenge on the outside two furlongs out, and he soon went to the front, keeping on well from the furlong pole to see off System Overload by a diminishing half a length. Henson (14/1) completed the placings a further three and a quarter lengths back in third under Fergal Lynch for David Marnane.
The winner was returned a 3/1 chance, having opened on-course at 11/4, while the aforementioned runner-up went off the well-backed 7/4 favourite, having touched 9/4 on-course.
John Oxx said afterwards: "He ran well at Cork, although leading didn’t really suit him that well there, and he got done on the line.
"He was better today getting a lead and he didn’t do a hell of a lot when he was in front.
"He is a useful handicapper, and a hardy sound horse. Gelding him improved him during the winter."
Oxx went on to talk about his Newmarket 1,000 Guineas hoping My Titania, saying: "So far so good, and we will be working her tomorrow. It looks like it could be a big field."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
