Barrett's Eyeries proves Prince at Gowran The James Barrett trained Prince Of Eyeries made most of the running to win the opening Golf At Gowran Park Optional Claiming Race at the County Kilkenny track. A Dundalk maiden winner earlier in the year, the four-year-old is very well-bred, being a half-brother to two black type horses. Since being fitted with blinkers and, racing at the head of affairs, the gelding has looked a much different proposition. Push along to lead after a furlong here, the well backed 4/1(from 13/2) chance, was strongly pressed by Tofina early in the straight. Asserting over a furlong out under Luke McAteer, Prince of Eyeries stayed on strongly to beat the fast finishing Pinball Wizard by two-and-a-quarter lengths. James Barrett said: “The last day at the Curragh I figured out seven furlongs on a straight line doesn’t suit him. He loves whipping around a bend and we’d a lovely draw today, so I said to Luke to make plenty of use of him. “When he got stuck into him, he really put his head down and finished out well. “He made all to win at Dundalk earlier in the year and he loves getting his own way in front.” Akeela was claimed by Ian Donoghue for 6,000, while John McConnell claimed Pinball Wizard for 6,000. Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
