Patrick Prendergast opened a new chapter of the famous Curragh racing family when saddling his first winner, Be Patient, at the final session of Galway's three day September meeting.
Prendergast, son of trainer Paddy and grandson of the legendary 'Darkie', took out a licence at the end of May after spells in England both with Ed Dunlop and Michael Stoute. ' I've been beaten in a couple of photo-finishes recently, and it's great to get off the mark,' he said after Be Patient, owned by his uncle John Muldoon, came from a seemingly impossible position approaching the home turn in the Galway City Vintners Rated Race. However the four-year-old grey filly stayed on gamely under John Murtagh in the straight to collar Savile's Delight close home.
'I have seven horses ready to run at the moment, but most of my two-year-olds have been held up with the cough. This filly loves soft ground, and is as tough as nails,' added Prendergast.
There was further cause for celebration among the family when Zaby, trained by Prendergast's uncle Kevin, dead-heated with Blue Corrig in the Cantor Fitzgerald UK Charity Relief Fund Race.
The two fences in the dip were omitted from the featured Smirnoff Handicap Chase, but the run-in of over half a mile suited Lord Of The Turf who stayed on dourly for Barry Geraghty to beat Half Barrell by three lengths. 'He's entered in the Kerry National, but the Listowel track is a bit tight and we may go instead for the big novice chase at Tipperary on October 6,' said Ballinasloe trainer John Bleahen.
Plettenburg Bay benefitted from a patient ride by Shay Barry to land the Cunningham Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle, striking the front after the last before holding off the late challenge of Harvest Time by a head. The ten-year-old gelding was well-supported from 5/1 to7/2 joint favourite, and trainer Gerry Stack commented, 'He's had alot of leg trouble, and Shay gave him a great ride.'
Senators Alibi appreciated the testing ground when just holding on under a strong drive from Wayne Lordan in a three-way photo to the Trappers Inn Handicap. 'He must have it soft and, depending on ground conditions, could run again at the Curragh on Saturday,' said trainer Thomond O'Mara.
Lordan later doubled up when the Joanna Morgan-trained Sophiyah made all in the Electronic Retail Security Handicap, drawing clear entering the straight to beat Fluttery Dancer by five lengths.
Alan Magee
