A fine Spring Evening for Latta and Foley A front-running ride on Spring Evening reaped maximum dividends in the concluding handicap over an extended 1m5f in Gowran Park. The five-year-old gelding was on good terms with himself approaching the straight and Shane Foley pushed for more outside the two pole. He had a willing partner who increased the advantage by the furlong marker and, although Elle Dorado Rock ran on strongly, the leader had done enough by the winning post. The 9/1 shot came in by half a length for Yvonne Latta from the 5/2 favourite. Dumb Love was another couple of lengths back in third at 7/2. Andrew Latta, son and assistant trainer, said: “He had a very good run in the first three-year-old hurdle two years ago and then ran back on the Flat and missed over a year through injury. “He’d two runs over hurdles in the winter, but it was proper deep heavy ground, and he didn’t go on it. I know it’s heavy there today, but it’s not winter jumping ground. “He’s always had ability, but has had niggles and missed plenty of time. He’s always worked well and maybe having time off helped him as he’s big and backward. “He may be a nice dual-purpose horse, but doesn’t want any worse than yielding to soft jumping ground.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
