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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Gambled Mehman leads home 1-2 for trainer

Wed 4th Jan 2023, 14:18

Mehman (far side) with stablemate Primo UomoMehman (far side) with stablemate Primo Uomo
© Photo Healy Racing

Mehman pulled off a gamble in Dundalk's yearly opening race today, leading home a 1-2 for trainer Ger O'Leary in the Happy New Year From Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Mehman won his only previous course run last September but was well beaten in two subsequent soft-ground handicaps and today reappeared following a 73-days absence against 11 rivals, including stablemates Primo Uomo and Aloysius Lilius

Backed down from 25/1 at 10am this morning, Mehman was returned a strong 3/1 favourite and in the race gave chase, in mid-division, to pace-setting stablemate Primo Uomo.

Jockey Mark Enright produced the winning four year old to lead close home, defeating his 11 year old stablemate by a neck, into second, with Aloysius Lilius well held in seventh.

O'Leary's assistant Adrian Joyce later reported “that was very good - I really love this horse (Mehmas) and we've always loved him. He shows a lot of class and speed and I'd say he's still a big, raw, weak horse. He travelled very easily and could be better than this grade.

“He has worked like that but he's so big, he just needed time. He's a nice horse and we'll look forward to him.

“Poor old Primo (Uomo) ran his heart out as well and was just unlucky to have that lad in the race. It's great to get a winner at the first meeting back.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

1st
3/1Fav
Tote €4.40 €1.60
2nd
nk
6/1
€1.90
3rd
1.75L
14/1
€3.90
4th
shd
6/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.