Joyce rides out claim aboard commanding Scallionator The Scallionator justified 4/7 favouritism helping Wesley Joyce to ride out his claim in Cork's opening Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden over six furlongs. An easy winner of a Listowel maiden in May, this son of Calyx didn't disgrace himself last time out in Group 1 company when sixth behind Sun Goddess in the Phoenix Stakes. Michael Mulvany’s charge controlled the pace throughout and was asked for his effort over a furlong out. The Clearys syndicate-owned colt asserted inside the final furlong to win unchallenged by two lengths. Nation Blaze (28/1) stayed on for second close home, beaten by two lengths. From Housing Estates to Milestone Victory Wesley Joyce, 24 next month, "from going around housing estates on ponies in Limerick to doing this today, is a big achievement for me. A big thanks to Mick Mulvany and to Johnny Murtagh who was so good to me early in my career. They are good people and have guided me all the way. "Mick has big faith in me and I'm grateful for the Clearys Syndicate for letting me ride The Scallionator as well. "Doing bottom-weight is no trouble for me and I don't even own a weighing scales. I just come racing and enjoy it. "The next step is to find that good horse who will bring me to the next level. I rode The Scallionator in Royal Ascot and in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes this year, so hopefully I can get one of those type horses." Mulvany added "I have given Wesley a lot of his winners and it is nice for him to do this. Things (injuries) have happened along the way but is where he is now and he is my stable jockey now. "The instructions were to bounce him out and lead, and the reason he came here was to qualify him for the final of the series at Naas (October 11)." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
