Grey horse Vastonea swoops in Ballybrit© Photo Healy Racing
Vastonea (12/1) continued his love affair with the Topaz Mile Handicap in Galway as he won it for the second time.
He claimed the big race two years ago and was third in it last year. Gary Halpin was on board the six-year-old time and claimed 7lbs off the grey’s back. He became only the second horse to win this race twice after Pinch Hitter.
Vastonea was in rear of mid-division in the dip, but Halpin switched him out wide and a sustained run up the hill saw him cut down front-running Piri Wango (9/1) by three parts of a length. English raider Baraweez picked up a nice cheque in third for his trainer Brian Ellison. Defining Year who was backed from 9/1 in the morning to 6/1 on the off, kept on well for fourth but didn’t have a clear run up the hill.
Gary Halpin said: “It’s great to win it especially for the boss. The old horse is as genuine as they come. He knows his way round here better than I do. They went good and hard. I was flat out the whole way and I was never happy until the dip. He took me from there up the straight, he loves battling. He was in off the same mark as two years ago.”
Kevin Prendergast said: “It has been a very lucky race for us over the years. It’s nice to be here and nice to get a winner with nice Galway people. He was a little bit better off at the weights this year. The old boy seems to like the place.
“Norman (Ormiston) is still a big shareholder in him but he’s a family horse. He’s an easy ride and Gary’s been riding him work. My daughter Natasha’s wedding reception is tomorrow and that will help pay for it! She got married two years ago in Melbourne and is having the reception back home tomorrow.”
This was the sixth time Kevin Prendergast won this race.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
