A delighted Jonathon Burke after recording his first winner aboard Trendy Gift for his father Liam© Photo Healy Racing
On just his second ever ride (first ride was aboard Why Surrender who finish down the field in the first) 16yo Jonathon Burke recorded his maiden winner aboard his father Liam’s horse Trendy Gift who sprang a 33/1 surprise in the final race of the 2012 Cork Easter Festival, the Cork and Waterford Mares point-to-point bumper.
The 5yo daughter of Westerner had five point-to-point runs to her name with her best efforts coming at Dungarvan in January where she finished just eight lengths fourth to More Talk and at Liscarroll on her last start where she finished third to Scotias Glen.
Having been held up in rear early on she then made good headway from three furlongs out and was ridden to lead over a furlong from home.
She stayed on well from there to score by three lengths from Ichey Feet (10/1) back in second under treble seeking Declan Queally for trainer William O'Doherty. Minella Duchess for John Nallen and Corky Carroll finished a further length and a half back in third at 8/1 while the 4/5 favourite Byerley Babe for Robert Tyner and Gerry Mangan weakened quickly four furlongs from home and finished a very disappointing tenth of the eleven runners.
Winning trainer Liam Burke said afterwards: "It is a dream start for him. He is in 5th year in Blackwater Community College in Lismore.
"This horse disappointed us in point-to-point's but it must have been the trip as she just didn’t seem to get home." (DM & AM)
