Caliso Bay and Connor King get the better of Jackie Ellis and Joseph O'Brien © Photo Healy Racing
After a string of placed efforts Caliso Bay got a deserved win to her name as she took the Follow Us On Facebook Handicap under Connor King for trainer/owner/breeder George Kent.
The daughter of High Chaparral (also the sire of Johann Strauss who won the first) caught the eye when finishing a close up seventh over the course last month, and she since finished third three times at Gowran, Clonmel and Wexford.
Back on the all-weather this evening she was sent off a 10/1 chance, having drifted from her morning price of 9/2.
Settled behind the leaders she progressed into second entering the straight and was soon ridden. Jackie Ellis went to the front over a furlong out under Joseph O’Brien, and the winner had a great battle with her from the furlong pole, before getting on top close home, going on to score by three parts of a length.
The aforementioned Jackie Ellis had to settle for second at 7/1 for Paul Flynn, while Share A Secret was a further length and a half back in third under Gary Phillips for Garvan Donnelly at 9/1. Mezogiorno who was sent off the 3/1 favourite, got a bit upset at the start and she ran on to take fourth for Mick Halford and Shane Foley.
George Kent, who trains in Tramore, said afterwards: "She just needed a bit of confidence and now that she has got that she could go the right way.
"She comes out of her races well. She needs a bit of daylight to enjoy herself. She is fairly versatile trip wise.
"She is tough and the win was important as she is home bred."
After the race the Stewards gave Tom Madden a three day ban for careless riding aboard Hard Times
Below is the Stewards report.
The Stewards enquired into an incident at the end of the back straight involving Meihua ridden by F.M. Berry and Hard Times, ridden by T.P. Madden, both unplaced, where it appeared Meihua suffered interference and had to check.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned and from Mr Niall Madden, master of T.P. Madden.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion T.P. Madden was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having taken his record in this regard into account, they suspended him for 3 racedays.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
