Irish Finish On Top In Australian Series Niall Madden and Brian Byrnes finished second and third in the $51,500 Dominant Steeple at Moonee Valley earlier today to give the Irish jockeys team a resounding points victory, 89 to 71, over their hosts in the final leg of the Ireland vs Australian Jump Riders Challenge. The Irish team rode four winners during the series but top Melbourne rider Steve Pateman made all the running here on favourite Al Garhood to win by fifteen lengths after his nearest pursuer Iggy came down at the last giving Kevin Coleman a crashing fall. Iggy had gone very low over the second last prior to his fall but Coleman escaped unscathed, just 'very sore.' Al Garhood, having his first start over fences and an accomplished hurdler on soft ground, is trained by Ciaron Maher who was in Ireland five years ago as a member of the vising Australian jockeys team and recalls finishing second in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Mr Sneakyboo for Michael Hourigan. A clear cut win for the Irish, making it the sixth successive encounter, here and at home, from which they have emerged as victors over the Australians. On Sunday night the team attend a black tie function at the Crown Casino where Racing Victoria make their annual Championship racing awards. They leave Melbourne on Monday and arrive back in Ireland on Tuesday morning.
