Rhasidat and Oisin McSweeney (centre)© Photo Healy Racing
Apprentice Oisin McSweeney is calling the shots in Dundalk's sprint scene currently and today slipped in for a first ride for trainer Ado McGuinness in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Nursery, winning dramatically on Rhasidat
McSweeney, whose three recent sprint wins have been on front-runners, was a late replacement on 22/1 outsider Rhasidat, standing-in for stuck-in-traffic Paddy Harnett.
Shortly after leaving stalls, Rhasidat's saddle slipped slightly forwards and while McSweeney was content to lead, the pair were eventually pressed by Dream Ticket with a furlong to race.
Despite his tack issues McSweeney - a 5lb claimer based with Danny Murphy, maintained balance and momentum, managing three cracks of the whip to score an all-out nose success.
McGuinness later quipped "that wasn't the plan! We were going to drop her in and cover her up, but fair play to the young fella as he didn't panic.
“He got her into a nice rhythm, didn't fight her and didn't panic. She is inexperienced but stuck at it well.”
“That is Oisin's first ride for me - Paddy Harnett was to ride but got caught in traffic so he certainly won't be too pleased. Fair play to Oisin though, he gave her a great ride.”
He added "she might even come back here for a claimer in a couple of weeks and is entered up in the mares' sale in a couple of weeks time so will be sold at some stage.”
Quotes from Michael Graham
