Feane out to hit new Heights Johnny Feane got his training career to a good start when successful with well-touted newcomer Prince Connoisseur at Dundalk three weeks ago, and the Curragh handler has solid prospects of adding to his tally on the Polytrack on Friday. Feane, whose father Jimmy was a key member of the Moyglare Stud team before retiring recently, branched out on his own this year after a spell as assistant to Reggie Roberts. Strategic Heights was Feane’s first runner when beating all bar Catwilldo over five furlongs at Dundalk last month and, on 2lb better terms plus the assistance of former champion Pat Smullen, can reverse those placings again over the minimum trip in the Love Racing, Love Dundalk Stadium Handicap. The five-year-old gelding, formerly trained by Liam McAteer, was having his first run for six months and can be expected to progress from the outing. He showed plenty of pace on that occasion but was just collared inside the final 100 yards. Feane said, “He ran well here last month and has come on from the run. He just missed the kick from the stalls last time as a horse beside him was playing up, and he was always on his head a bit. “If he can jump out well and get a soft lead, or even track something, I think he’ll take a bit of beating.” Catwilldo, raised 5lb for that win, certainly hails from a yard in top form as trainer Garvan Donnelly saddled his first double at Dundalk last Friday with Equation Of Time and Ningaloo Reef. Feane also runs an interesting filly in the shape of Patty Paige in the opening Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Package Claiming Maiden. The daughter of Haatef showed promise when quite highly tried in juvenile maidens for Brendan Duke last year and, although she has shown an aversion to starting stalls a number of times, has prospects of opening her account in this seven-furlong event. “She’s going very well and, if she puts her best foot forward, should go close. She ran well in some good maidens last year, and the form of those races has worked out well,” said Feane.
