18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Master Matt puts in a lovely finish

Tue 18th Jun 2019, 18:41

Master Matt, right, in front where it mattersMaster Matt, right, in front where it matters
© Photo Healy Racing

Master Matt gunned down Sunset Nova to win the Play The Tote Superfecta On Every Race Median Auction Race at Sligo, on his first start for Matthew Smith.

Sunset Nova soon led in this sprint while Master Matt tracked him in fourth. The latter hugged the rail and improved into second passing the two pole.

Sunset Nova went for home entering the straight as jockey Andrew Slattery had a look over his shoulder coming to the final furlong.

Master Matt hadn't been burned off, though, and was ridden inside the final furlong in pursuit of the leader.

He made relentless headway for Shane Crosse and got up close home to score by half a length.

The first-time gelding didn't go unbacked at 5/1. Runner-up Sunset Nova was a 9/4 joint favourite.

Matthew Smith said: “He was working well at home but I wasn’t one hundred per cent sure what to expect. I bought him privately and he’d good form as a two-year-old.

“He’d one run this year and there was obviously something amiss looking at his two-year-old form.

"He’s a fine big horse who travels well but you don’t want to be hitting the front too soon on him.”

Master Matt had previously raced in Britain for Denis Quinn.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.