Barra Rua foils gamble to land Tramore nightcap So often the orchestrator of gambles, trainer Emmet Mullins foiled a major on course plunge when his Barra Rua got up right on the line to win the concluding Copper Coast (Ladies Pro/Am) INH Flat Race. In the minutes leading up to post time, the once-raced Philip Fenton trained Le Roi Du Livet had been supported from 16/1 into 7/2. Coming through to lead entering the home straight, the plunge horse took over in front, as Barra Rua went in pursuit. With the latter running green and hanging inside the final furlong, Barra Rua came through under Maxine O'Sullivan to lead over 50 yards out. However, Le Roi Du Vivet rallied in the final strides, the two passing the line in unison. A subsequent photo revealed that Barra Rua had held on to win by a nose. Maxine O'Sullivan said: "She had very solid form and definitely deserved to win this race. It was a bit messy throughout, but she is very honest and gallops well. We tried to make a test of it today. She ran over two mile two the last day, so she stays well and it worked out. She'll probably go over hurdles now. "A great syndicate owned her. Pat Tobin bred her and he set up the syndicate. They have Dream On Baby too and she finished second in Thurles today, so half the lads are there. They are Cork lads and I'm very fond of them, so I'm delighted to ride a winner for them." Regarding the photo finish, she added: "I was more positive than negative, I thought I might have got there on the nod, but you never know with them, I wasn't sure." Additional reporting by Donal Murphy.
