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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Star springs 40/1 surprise

Thu 28th Jul 2022, 18:00

Winner for Jake CoenWinner for Jake Coen
© Photo Healy Racing

Star Image just edged the verdict to spring a 40/1 surprise in the mile-and-a-half handicap at Galway.

Tom Mullins charge had finished last on both previous outings this term but left that form well behind to run out a game winner.

Jake Coen produced his charge to challenge inside the final furlong and the Sea The Stars filly disputed with Pale Moonlight close home.

Star Image was just a nose head at the line to record her second career victory.

“She won as a two-year-old but only ran well once or twice last year before trailing off,” said Mullins.

“This is only her third run this year, I thought the last day at Limerick she'd run well but Niall (McCullagh) said the ground was too firm and she wouldn't let herself down.

“I was hoping that I hadn't lost my touch because I thought she'd run well today. She's down in the handicap and had a real top apprentice on her back today.

“She just needed a bit of luck in running and I fancied her but all my horses were giving last to no-one there for a long time.

“It's just been things not working out, like her not letting herself down the last day.

“I didn't want to go over a mile-and-a-half with her but it was the only race she could get into at Galway. I had to come here for the nice ground.

“Hopefully she can keep improving for the rest of the season but it's a winner in Galway and if she does that once a year it's job done.”

1st
40/1
Tote €41.00 €6.90
2nd
nose
17/2
€2.50
3rd
1L
10/1
€2.00
4th
nose
11/2
€1.80
bf
shd
5/1Fav
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.