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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Park proves tough in tight finish

Thu 16th Jun 2022, 20:15

Como Park (on rail) battles well to beat First Emperor
Como Park (on rail) battles well to beat First Emperor
© Photo Healy Racing

Como Park opened his account with a gutsy front-running performance in the TRI Equestrian Maiden at Leopardstown this evening.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained son of Camelot was soon in front under Declan McDonogh but had to pull out all the stops when tackled by First Emperor in the closing stages of the extended mile-and-a-half contest.

There was little between the pair inside the final furlong with Como Park all out close home to record a head victory.

The 5/4 favourite had been placed on all three previous outings, including when chasing home Newfoundland at Navan last time.

Assistant Brendan Powell said afterwards:- “It was a tough performance. I thought Donnacha's horse had come to beat him.

“Declan said in an ideal world he'd rather have got a lead early on but there was going to be no pace, and we know he stays well, so he just let him bowl along.

“It was a tough, hardy performance and he's going in the right direction. He stays well and he's genuine. Hopefully it's onward and upwards from here.”

1st
5/4Fav
Tote €2.25 €1.43
2nd
hd
11/4
€1.76
3rd
1.25L
33/1
4th
4.75L
12/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.