Patrick Casey with Catching Shadows© Photo Healy Racing
Catching Shadows sprang a 33/1 surprise in the bumper at Cork, the Galtee (Pro/Am) Flat Race, scoring under Patrick Casey for trainer Paul Cashman.
Casey, who is twenty-five and from Aglish in Co Waterford, was recording his first racecourse success aboard the son of Catcher In The Rye.
The victorious bay pulled up on his sole point-to-point start at Lismore in March of 2013 before finishing last of six on his racecourse debut at Thurles last month.
Settled towards rear today he made headway on the outer from five furlongs out.
He improved to dispute the lead entering the straight and hit the front two furlongs from home, keeping on well inside the final furlong to score by three and a half lengths.
Newcomer Alberta (25/1) ran a fine race to finish second for trainer Turlough O’Connor while the Willie Mullins trained Westerner Lady was a further eight lengths back in third under David Mullins at 9/4. Jack Slade was sent off the 15/8 favourite under Jane Mangan for Noel Meade but he could only manage a disappointing ninth.
Paul Cashman said afterwards: "I didn’t expect that. He needed the run the last day. It doesn’t look good being last of six but I’d say it was one of the best bumpers at Thurles in quite a while.
"On this ground I was very worried and I nearly pulled him out. I told Patrick to keep him wide on the best of the ground and he gave him a super ride.
"I’d delighted for Patrick as he was going to win a point-to-point at Dromahane yesterday but he fell at the last.
"This horse will be better on nice ground and after that performance he could go for a winners race at Leopardstown."
STEWARDS REPORT
Miss J.M. Mangan, rider of Jack Slade trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount stopped quickly in the straight.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
