In Salutem leads the way at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Foley got a great tune out of In Salutem as the pair saw out the six furlongs at the Curragh to win going away.
The five-year-old gelding started to wind up his challenge from fifth a furlong and a half out. With 200 yards to go he got a split between the leader Master Speaker and Cash or Casualty on the rail.
His nose was in front at 150 yard marker and he stayed on stoutly for a length and three quarter decision in this handicap at odds of 11/1.
Master Speaker was back in second at 5/1, with Cash Or Casualty keeping on for third at 8s.
Handler Ken Condon said: "He's a favourite in the yard. He probably hasn't won as many as we hoped or he threatened to. He runs plenty of times as he's a sound horse. He always saves a little bit for himself. He has always shown plenty of ability in his work. I suppose typical of a lot of sprinters he's sort of five now and sort of mature now and working nicely.
"He didn't handle the heavy ground the first day of the season and as a consequence was last but had been working nicely since. The drier ground helped him. He doesn't want it firm, just an ease in the ground is perfect. He leads some of our smart fillies at home like Newsletter.
"Hopefully we can aim him for some of the nice Premier Handicaps here at the Curragh. With a penalty for that he'll get into all the good sprint handicaps like the Rockingham and the Paddy Power. We'll look forward to another productive year with him hopefully.
"Shane was always going to ride him with confidence and he surely did. Even at the furlong pole he had a little bit to do but he got there in good time and did it well."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
