Double Fast and Rory Cleary have their Limerick rivals well beaten off© Photo Healy Racing
Tom and Rory Cleary teamed up for victory in division two of the Croom Handicap at Limerick with Double Fast (12/1).
The successful Fast Company filly, is also owned by Cleary senior, and she was having her seventh outing for the Athlone trainer in this extended six furlong heat.
A winner in her days with Tom Mullins (at Gowran in September 2015), the four-year-old accounted for Hatton Cross by no less than six lengths on this occasion.
"It was good to see Fast Company (sire of Jet Setting) doing well in recent times and she likes that soft ground," said Tom Cleary.
"She missed the break at the Curragh the last day and I fancied her today. That was my first winner of the year and it was needed! She'll run again here on Saturday."
The Stewards received a report from P.L. Malone, Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that G.P. Halpin, rider of Punches Pious presented to weigh out at 2lbs overweight despite failing at declaration time to declare the potential overweight.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned and from Timothy Doyle, trainer.
G.P. Halpin accepted he did not inform the trainer that he may be unable to carry the correct weight. He stated he hadn't done so as he didn't think he would be overweight since he had ridden at lower weights in recent times, and put the situation down to a faulty bathroom scales at home.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards gave permission for G.P. Halpin to carry 2lb overweight but were of the opinion that he was in breach of Rule 198 (vii) in that he showed up at scales 2lb overweight which he hadn't declared, and having taken his good record in this regard into account, they fined him €150.
C.D. Hayes, rider of Lord Jim trained by P.J.Prendergast, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was bumped coming out of the starting stalls.
The Stewards interviewed K.J. Leonard, rider of Clear Focus concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, in the presence of Mr E. Sheehy, trainer, representing Miss Susan A. Finn, trainer and master of K.J. Leonard.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards were of the opinion K.J. Leonard was in breach of Rule 211 (a) in that he failed to ride in a straight line from his draw position, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.
(TW & EM)
