Thurles trainer Pat Carey recorded his first training double at Gowran Park today with his Shadow Ash and Liscoa combining for a 97/1 double, while .
Racegoers can consider themselves fortunate to witness the legendary Michael Kinane in action at any stage of the year and he rode Carey's opening winner, which itself was the second leg of a double for the 13 times champion jockey.
Riding Shadow Ash in the Gowran Park Nursery Handicap, Kinane had the daughter of Ashkalani racing prominently, striking the front entering the straight and forcing her to battle well for a length win over Tivoli Fountain.
Carey later commented 'I thought she might need further but loved the cut in the ground. We might try for a Premier Nursery now.'
An hour and a half later, Carey's grin was even more noticeable with the success of his Liscoa in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap. Liscoa, a half sister to a Listed winner, 'loved the soft ground today and will attempt to gain some blacktype now', according to Carey.
The first leg of Kinane's double was gained in the stewards' room with John Oxx's Laudable improving one place from his head defeat to Aidan O'Brien's Euphrates, in the two year old maiden.
Euphrates, under Jamie Spencer, jinked left over a furlong out and bumped Laudable and Kinane, who were beaten a short head at the line. The change in placings looked inevitable.
Kinane looked to have a fair chance of registering a hat-trick, in the mile maiden, on John Oxx's Sareya. However, the pair were headed close home by Oxx's unconsidered 20/1 second string Babacora, who finished with a storming late challenge under Fran Berry.
A surprised Oxx mentioned 'she is lazy at home and wouldn't star in her work. However her good debut run at The Curragh in April was enough to win any maiden.'
On a day for doubles, Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen combined to win the last two races. Muntami out-battled Napoleon in the 1m1f maiden while Orpington ran out an easy winner of the Golfing At Gowran Handicap.
The Gowran Park Golf & Leisure Handicap, went to Addario who was produced with a late challenge by promising five pound apprentice David Moran to lead on the line.
Thomas Weekes.
