Japanese teenager Atsuo Hatta partnered his first winner on only his second ride when Ridyan survived a stewards enquiry to land the opening five furlongs handicap at Naas.
Peter Henley's charge drifted left under pressure when striking the front inside the final furlong, with Hatta (19) using his whip in his right hand, hampering runner-up Delvin Flyer and fifth-placed Libras Child. The stewards left the placings unaltered, although they found Hatta guilty of careless riding. He was severely cautioned after they took 'his record and inexperience into account'.
Tropical Lady was sent off the 9/10 favourite for the mile maiden following a promising debut second at the Curragh last month, and went one better when prominent throughout under Kevin Manning. Jim Bolger's charge led early in the straight, and asserted in the final furlong to beat Blava by two and a half lengths.
Brian Hughes, rider of the runner-up, was given a two days suspension for careless riding.
'She was a bit unlucky at the Curragh as she had an eye on the stands. It would be nice if we could find a winners race, otherwise she will probably go for a Listed race. We will also see what the handicapper thinks,' said Bolger.
Mahogany also readily landed the odds in the juvenile median auction maiden, stretching clear from the furlong pole under Mick Kinane to beat Soviet Treat by three lengths.
Scarsdale benefitted from a powerful ride by John Murtagh to justify favouritism in the six furlongs maiden. Noel Meade's charge was driven up between horses to lead well inside the final furlong for a two and a half lengths verdict over Barbaresque, and the Navan handler said, 'Alot of my Flat horses have been a bit disappointing, and I'm delighted to win. He'll go for a handicap over six or seven furlongs.'
There was a terrific finish to the mile and a half handicap, where Gemini Diamond made virtually all for Niall McCullagh and just held off the late challenge of Pantarez by a short-head. 'She is a good staying filly, and it was nice to be just running against three-year-olds as there are not many of those races,' said trainer Michael Grassick, who was recording his 16th winner of the campaign.
Alan Magee
