Perfect Soldier (Sean Davis) holds on from Giorni Felice (right, Robbie Downey)© Photo Healy Racing
The Michael O'Callaghan Racing Club had their first winner when Perfect Soldier landed the spoils in the TheTote.com Maiden at Galway.
Dermot Weld 's odds-on favourite Sansibar Jewel (4/6) couldn't raise her effort from before the straight and ended up in fifth place. Giorni Felice was the finisher but Perfect Soldier under Sean Davis clung on by a head.
“This is unbelievable — a dream. I thought Delegating (third to Dinky Inty on Monday night) might do it for us the other night and I’ve never shouted a winner home more,” said O’Callaghan.
“Delegating is in again on Friday.
“This horse always hits a flat spot and I told Sean to give him a few back-handers in the middle of the race if he needed it.
“It was a savage ride.
“I’m more delighted for the young lad on his back than anything else. He’s been with me a long time and he’s not from a racing background.
“The gamble on the one last night (The Great Wall) was a bit strange. The owner had a few quid on it in the ring and that must have started it. It’s probably a sign that the market is quite weak.
The Michael O'Callaghan Racing Club numbers 96-year-old Bill Martin from County Kildare amongst its members.
Sean Davis remarked: “He battled well for me. All credit goes to the horse.”
(AM & EM)
