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Gamble landed as Melia gets off the mark

A picture for the mantelpiece, Damien Melia with his first winner SretawA picture for the mantelpiece, Damien Melia with his first winner Sretaw
© Photo Healy Racing

Damien Melia recorded his first winner as he partnered the gambled on Sretaw to victory in the Stephen Quirke Memorial Apprentice Handicap.

The nineteen-year-old from Monasterevin is based with Mick Halford and he was having just his fourth career ride aboard the Gavin Cromwell trained victor.

A 14/1 chance with Paddy Power this morning, the four-year-old daughter of Kalanisi was backed from 11/1 to 9/2 joint-favourite on-course.

She chased the leaders in the early stages and she was ridden into second under two furlongs out.

She came with her challenge a furlong and a half from home, hitting the front under a furlong out, keeping on well from there to score by a length and three parts. Iron Major finished in second at 10/1 under Ray Dawson for Eddie Lynam, while Fulminata (the other joint-favourite) was a length and a quarter back in third under Killian Hennessy.

The winner was recording her second career success this afternoon having won at Gowran on her penultimate start.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
9/2JFav
Tote €6.90 €2.70
2nd
1.75L
10/1
€1.80
3rd
1.25L
9/2JFav
€2.10
4th
0.5L
10/1
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.