Irish Team Extend Lead In Australia Niki O?Shea rode his second winner in Australia earlier today when partnering 5/1 chance Dangerous Draw to a ? length win over favourite Red Aransas in the Australia v Ireland Highweight at Werribee. Niall Madden was just a head away in third place with Kevin Coleman sixth. Brian Byrnes was left as a spectator when his mount was a late scratching.This was O?Shea?s first ever Flat winner, backing up his chase win at Morphettville last Saturday;' I had to come to Australia to break my duck, I thought I was going to win very easily but he flattened out a bit and just kept galloping. I?m just delighted.' O?Shea?s handling of aptly named Dangerous Draw from the outside berth drew plenty of praise from connections.Niall Madden thought he was unlucky on Zabeel Pirate, he had nowhere to go turning for home, stumbled and nearly fell. 'Would have won' he said afterwards. After three visits by the jockeys to the Stewards Room, Kevin Coleman was given a caution. Suffice it to say that the Stewards had a different view than the riders.The Victorian authorities have also changed the points system to a 10, 8, 6,5 scoring system. Ireland lead 53 to 36 and appear to have drawn the best prospects in Thursday?s hurdle at Sandown, Niki O?Shea riding for David Hayes while Madden is on one for Eric Musgrove.
