Harmonyofthestars and Niall McCullagh© Photo Healy Racing
The early markets flagged up Harmonyofthestars as a horse to be with at Dundalk tonight. After a promising debut fifth placing a fortnight back Johnny Murtagh's charge delivered in the Floodlit Friday Nights Maiden.
Part-owned by Maura Gittins, who was so unfortunate to lose Fayonagh recently, and Michael Kinane's wife Catherine, Harmonyofthestars was ridden again by Niall McCullagh.
The 2/1 favourite got the better of Spring Garden and Pivotal Connection by a length and three parts of a length.
Murtagh said afterwards: "Usually the owner is ringing the trainer to find out how their horse is going to run but this morning I had to ring the owner as I was in Newmarket for the last week.
"I'd love to take some of the credit but Mick has been in riding him out to get ready for the charity race."
For his part Kinane explained: "He's a big horse and he'll be a nice horse next year. We'll put him away now and he'll be a horse for the future.
"He's not bred to go beyond a mile and a quarter, and that would be max I would say.
"When he gets more strength to fill that frame then a mile should be okay for him."
The Stewards fined Mrs John Harrington, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Spring Garden, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.
The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
C.D. Hayes, rider of Pivotal Connection (GB) trained by A. Oliver, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was checked after 100 yards.
S. Foley, rider of Spring Garden trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount leaned left in the early part of this race.
The Stewards interviewed S. Foley, rider of Spring Garden, concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles.
Having viewed the recording of the start and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards were of the opinion that the S. Foley was in breach of Rule 211 and having considered his record, suspended him for 1 raceday.
(AM & EM)
