David Hanley intends putting Coney Kitty into the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the second entry stage in December after the daughter of Lycius gained a hard-earned victory in the featured Entrepreneur Stakes at Cork on Saturday.
Niall McCullagh gave her a strong ride to hold off Keats by three quarters of a length in this Listed race, with Saying Grace not enjoying the clearest of passages a fuurther head back in third. 'She is a nice, big filly, and may get a mile on good ground next year. I will put her into the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the second entry stage in December,' said the Curragh trainer afterwards.
Irene Oakes recorded the biggest success of her eight year training career when Ducky Divey swooped late under Pat Shanahan to land the #30,000 Goffs Autumn Bonus. The Elbio gelding was driven along over two furlongs out before sprouting wings on the stands side to head Momentum Player inside the final 100 yards for a length victory.
'He needed the run on his debut at the Curragh last month, and has improved alot in his homework since,' said Ms Oakes, who has ten two-year-olds in training. She added: 'He cost just #1,200, and loves soft ground.'
Timmy Houlihan recorded his first win since returning form a two month absence due to a head injury at Leopardstown on June 28 when Grecian Myth landed the opening Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap. The Pat Flynn-trained gelding led over two furlongs out and, despite drifting towards the stands side, kept on to beat Murrayfield by half a length.
Flynn later completed a 71/1 double when Freya led at halfway under leading apprentice Tom Queally in the six furlong Mallow Handicap, and kept on well to beat Violet Blue by three quarters of a length.
