Harnett hits the lead with double on Bay Paddy Harnett grabbed the lead in the apprentice title race when Tai Tam Bay gave him a double on the card at Punchestown this afternoon. The New Bay filly, trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty, was soon in front in the seven furlong and had a couple of lengths lead at halfway. She had her rivals at work turning for home and had enough in the tank late on to hold the challenge of Micasso by a length-and-a-quarter. It was a second career win for the 13/2 shot and Harty senior said:- "I wouldn't say it was expected. She won well first time out at three but it's been a struggle since. She had good runs but nothing like that. “She was to go to Galway (on Tuesday), last run before probably going to the sales. She's five now and if she can have a breeding career she wants to move on now. “We said we'd give her one run, she was reserve at Galway and probably won't have gone on that ground anyway. They changed it to here, we ran her and she won. “I gave Jess (O'Gorman) the option (of riding) but at the time La Tulipe Noire looked more fancied than her so I said 'go and ride that one'. “Paddy Harnett rang looking for the ride so I said 'go on, sit up on her'. When someone is riding real well I just said 'you do what you want'. It worked out lovely. “She jumped out in front and he was always going good fractions and she won well. “That's probably her last run unless whoever buys her decides to run her but I'd imagine being by a good sire in New Bay and with two wins on the board she'll go and have babies." (Quotes by John O’Riordan)
