Dermot Weld saddled a quick fire double at Gowran Park's all flat meeting on Sunday when Artic Cry and Subtle Shimmer scored in the opening two races of the afternoon. Both were ridden by Pat Smullen who had to be at his strongest on the initial winner Artic Cry.
The 5/4 favourite made virtually all the running in the seven furlong maiden and was tracked by Dick Morris throughout the race. It was that gelding who posed the biggest threat but Dermot Weld's charge held on to score by a shorthead with a further four and a half lengths back to Slaney Rock in third.
'That was a brave battling performance and a good powerful drive from Pat Smullen. He benefited from his previous run at Leopardstown in April and I will discuss with the owner Sean Mulryan where we will go next,' said the winning trainer.
Subtle Shimmer completed the double with another fine front running performance under Smullen. The winner led them all the way and when asked for more of an effort a furlong and a half out the filly by Danehill Dancer shrugged off her rivals to score by a comfortable four and a half lengths.
Backers of the 9/4 second favourite suffered a 40c deduction in their bets as the 6/4 favourite Vadarousse was withdrawn at the start having spread a plate.
'That was a workman like performance,' stated Weld of his second winner of the afternoon. 'She is a filly with experience and that experience told today. We will go for a handicap with her now over this trip.'
There was also a double on the card for champion jockey Declan McDonagh who got Hard Rock City back to winning ways on his seasonal debut to complete the two timer. In a dramatic contest the Michael Grassick trained seven year old got up by a half a length from the game Duff in second. Duff was ridden by Fran Berry who's irons snapped leaving stalls and following an uncomfortable spin around was unlucky not to hold on.
The winner had been off since last May having torn a ligament but before that lay off had some very decent runs in the form book and will now go for a listed or Group 3 race according to winning trainer Grassick.
'He's back to himself after a long lay off. I was a little worried about the ground before hand but the track is in good condition so we let him run. He was ready to come back last season but I decided against bringing him back for just the one run and he has rewarded us today.'
McDonagh's double was started when he was aboard 5/1 joint favourite Miss Gorica trained by Joanna Morgan. The filly was always prominent and hit the front with a furlong and half to go, from there on the victory looked safe as Pussyfooting never really looked like closing on the three length winning margin.
'She is a lovely genuine filly with loads of pace and Declan gave her a good positive ride. As a two year old she always showed plenty but needed time and we will wait and see where we go next,' said Morgan.
Rory Cleary partnered his seventh success of the campaign with bottom weight Dal Cais in the Kilkenny handicap over a mile and one furlong. As a three year old, the colt by Noverre was the youngest in the race and once hitting the front two out stayed on strongly under pressure defeating Ridge Boy by three parts of a length.
Frank Ennis was afterwards very pleased with his charge, 'He is a tough horse, it is hard to take on the older horses in the handicap this time of year but he done it well.'
Bahrain Storm made a winning return to the flat when landing the Gowran Handicap over a mile and a half. The four year old was a winner over hurdles at Fairyhouse in April and ran a credible race at the Punchestown festival before winning here.
Successful trainer Pat Flynn later revealed future plans, 'We will go to the Alain du Breuil at Auteuil in three weeks time all being well. That was a great win and the owner is Patrick Sweeny has been lucky for me.'
In the first division of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap Damasque caused a slight upset when returning the 10/1 winner for trainer Lesley Young and jockey Martin Lane while in the second division Emmet Butterly partnered the Pat Fahy trained Hampshire to a one and a quarter length success.
By Niall Cronin
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