World Citizen (nearside, in-form Jody McGarvey up) eventually got the better of Fitzgutentyte from the back of the last© Photo Healy Racing
County Derry-native Jody McGarvey brought his career tally to four winners when hot-on-the-heels of his Ballinrobe Monday night success on Bruff, he landed a shock win on World Citizen (33/1) in the Local Business Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick.
Dessie McDonogh's victorious daughter of Basanta left previous form well in the past by grinding out a three parts of a length win from Fitzgutentyte There was three and a half lengths back to the gambled-on favourite Worrel Creek (7s into 9/2) in third.
"We rode her positively and claimed off her. He's a good jockey and I'd use him again. She jumped well and kept at it well. She has run well a few times and John Cullen said there was a race in her," said Dessie McDonogh afterwards.
The County Meath handler went on: "The owner (Hugh Newell) lives in Drumree and his father is Colonel Newell. He's with me 20 years and I've never had a winner for him. He's so game and no winner has given me more pleasure.
"A little 33/1 was had by all!"
Amazingly enough, McDonogh's previous winner was Ms Penny Pincher. She took a Roscommon bumper back in May at 'double-double carpet' – 66/1!
The Stewards requested a report from Mr Desmond McDonogh, trainer, concerning the apparent improvement in form of his winner World Citizen compared with her previous run at Roscommon, when the horse was last of fourteen finishers beaten 83lengths by the winner Cherryantor.
Mr McDonogh reported that his filly was returning to racing at Roscommon following a break of five months and in his opinion she ran well to about four furlongs out where she stopped quickly in the testing conditions for the 2mile 4furlong contest. He felt that today’s success could be contributed to a combination of better ground, a shorter trip and normal improvement from the race at Roscommon.
Having considered the report the Stewards noted it’s content.
The Stewards enquired into an incident after the final hurdle on the first circuit involving Indubitably GB), ridden by E.J. O’Connell and Sun Fisher ridden by P.F. Mangan where it appeared that the latter ran short of room and lost his position.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that E.J. O’Connell had caused the incident by riding carelessly and suspended him for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration. The Stewards also found P.F. Mangan’s evidence to be misleading and consequently severely cautioned him concerning the accuracy of his evidence.
(MG & EM)
