Go Kart and Danny Sheehy hold Strategic Force and Niall McCullagh© Photo Healy Racing
The best of the Johnny Levins sextet (outsiders all) in the opening Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap at Dundalk was Bubblesontherise in seventh place. Nothing from that Curragh yard, or indeed anything else, could lay a glove on the all-way-victor, Go Kart (4/1 joint favourite) under Danny Sheehy.
Sheehy asked for more from Go Kart from over a furlong out. On his way to a fifth winner, the Kilkenny teenager kept the Intense Focus filly going long enough to hold her fellow market-leader, Strategic Force by half a length.
Winning trainer Patrick Prendergast said: "She was drawn 13 the last day and Killian Leonard reckoned that's what beat her as she burned too much early.
"She's very fast and finds five furlongs a long way. If there were four and a half furlong races she would win a lot more. The owner (John O'Connor) would like to cover her one day, although I'm not sure when that will happen."
The Stewards enquired into an incident approaching the turn involving Your Pal Tal (GB), ridden by R. Coakley, Kiss The Stars ridden by K.J. Leonard, and Chosen Rock ridden by S.P. Davis, where it appeared Your Pal Tal and Chosen Rock received interference.
A. Leahy, trainer, attended this enquiry with apprentice, K.J. Leonard.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found K.J. Leonard in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly and suspended him for two race days.
(AM & EM)
