Irish team hold narrow lead after Cawley scores in Melbourne Galway rider Alain Cawley sprang a surprise on Royal Laddie, the complete outsider of the four runners, in the Metropole Hotel Australia vs Ireland Hurdle at Melbourne track Sandown earlier today. The 10/1 chance made all the running despite 'missing out' a couple of flights including the second last. 'He was brilliant at the last though, we gained a length and he kept on strong. It's just brilliant to ride a winner here,' said Cawley. They beat top Australian rider Brett Scott, on odds-on favourite Bugatti Royale, by nearly two lengths with Katie Walsh a similar distance back on top-weight Pasco. Bottom weight in this series is supposed to be not less than 64 ? kilos but a computer 'malfunction' put out 63 kilos as the handicap weight for two of the runners including Shane Jackson's mount Consolidation and with day of the race saunas forbidden, the six-footer had to run the track to shed the necessary. He managed to do the weight but Consolidation could only finish last. The field was trimmed down to four when Ponce was scratched, to leave Brett Scott the only home rider. But it was a good strong race throughout with the quartet racing close. The points system remains as convoluted as ever, even leading to a change in the Adelaide standings yet there seems to be an agreed 47 to 46 at this stage in favour of the Irish. Off to Bendigo tomorrow morning with Jackson and Katie Walsh appearing to hold the aces on a pair of Eric Musgrove's. But with Scott, Steve Pateman and Craig Durden riding for Australia in this Volunteer Rifles Hurdle, there could be a real shoot out before Saturday's Dominant Chase at Moonee Valley.
