Michael Grassick's Spring Opera put plenty of grass between herself and eleven rivals when running out the clear-cut winner of the Dawn Omega Milk Maiden at Killarney today.
Ridden by Niall McCullagh, the daughter of Sadler's Wells eased to front early in the straight, eventually winning by eight lengths from Pharoah Prince. Spring Opera had reached the frame on each of her four starts and Grassick later commented 'she found the ground very testing but deserved her win. I have no immediate plans for her but we might try to gain some blacktype at some stage.'
McCullagh later completed a double when steering Buddy Man to an easy win in the second division of the mile handicap. Buddy Man made no friends with the bookies and was returned the well backed 2/1 favourite, following up a win at Sligo last Sunday.
Trainer Pat Flynn was strong in his praise of jockey Danny Grant following the success of Nic's Colleen in the Murphy's Mitsubishi Motors Handicap (division one). Flynn mentioned 'Danny is getting stronger and stronger and always gets the job done.'
The opening Colm Foley Memorial Novice Hurdle saw Pat Hughes' Treculiar benefit from a 24lb pull with 3/1 favourite Batang, eventually beating Batang by six lengths. Local jockey Jim Culloty is really bringing it all back home at the moment and was on board his third winner of the Festival. Hughes later reported 'he'll probably go for a novice hurdle at Galway. The GPT Handicap is another option there although I have about five horses for that already!'
Michael Hourigan's Almier looks set for a hike in the ratings following his easy success in the 2m1f handicap hurdle under Timmy Murphy. Hourigan mentioned that Almier, the second reserve for the race, 'will now run in a handicap hurdle at Galway' but added that the horse 'is better going left handed.'
Most valuable event on the card was the E17,500 Dawn Milk Handicap and it proved a credit to the handicapper with only a few lengths separating the first nine home. The race was won by Robbie Osborne's Big Bojangles, who received a strong drive from Robbie Burke. A delighted Osbourne later reported that the winner will revert to hurdling in the Autumn.
Davy Russell is as reliable a jockey riding at present and he partnered Daranado to a two length win in the Kerry Spring Water Handicap Hurdle for restricted licensed trainer Pat Duffy.
Charlie Swan's Ryanally won the concluding bumper under Leonard Flynn.
Thomas Weekes.
