Fumata and Shane Foley lead home Waterville and Ryan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Foley partnered his first winner since April 1st, as he guided Fumata to victory in the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden.
An eye-catching fourth on debut at Navan, the Jessica Harrington trained grey was relatively easy to back this afternoon and went off a 12/1 chance in the colours of Newtown Anner Stud.
Having raced mainly in fifth, he was pushed along and took closer order from the three furlong pole.
Ridden from early in the straight, he picked up best with a furlong to go and stretched clear in the closing stages, going on to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths. Waterville who was returned the 4/5 favourite, had every chance but ultimately couldn't match the winner and had to settle for second under Ryan Moore. Como Park (8/1) completed the places a further half-a-length back in third.
"I'm delighted with him. He ran a great race the first day in Navan but just got outpaced early on," said Harrington.
“He was outpaced today and I'd say a mile-and-a-half is his minimum trip, they went very hard.
“He's a very big horse, he's got a lovely pedigree and he's a horse that's probably going to stay on in training as a four-year-old.
"He'll turn into a nice staying horse in the end."
STEWARDS REPORTS
S.M. Crosse, rider of Carlton Gardens (GB) trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was tightened up a bit turning into the straight.
G.M. Ryan, rider of First Emperor (GB) trained by Donnacha Aidan O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran short of room at the bottom of the straight.
D. McMonagle, rider of War Correspondent trained by R.P.Cody, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was very green.
The Stewards enquired into an incident on the bend into the straight involving Captain Hornblower ridden by N.M. Crosse, Carlton Gardens (GB), ridden by S.M. Crosse, First Emperor (GB), ridden by G.M. Ryan, Gulliver's Travels ridden by W.M. Lordan, Mercury Mission (GB), ridden by W.J. Lee and Waterville, ridden by R.L. Moore, where it appeared there was an amount of movement causing some interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, S.M. Crosse stated that on straightening up off the bend, his mount got a shove from his inside which carried the animal off the bend. R.L. Moore stated that he was holding his line when his mount got pushed wide from pressure on his inner. G.M. Ryan stated that the horse in front of his mount came out in front onto his racing line causing his animal to get pushed wide. W.M. Lordan stated that his mount was staying on and on the heels of Captain Hornblower when that animal went right and to avoid catching a heel he had to take action by manoeuvering right at that point. W.J. Lee stated that he had held his position during this incident. N.M. Crosse stated that he had followed Fleet Commander but that animal came back quickly causing him to check right off his heels. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards could not apportion any blame to any rider and in these circumstances took no further action. Mr Peter Reynolds, Acting Steward, absented himself from this enquiry.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
