Solomon strikes for the McNamaras The Eric McNamara-trained Solomon Islands stormed home to spring a 22/1 surprise on his debut in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at Leopardstown. Shane Foley held the Coulsty gelding up early on in the seven-furlong contest and had to wait for a gap in the straight. Once in the clear inside the final furlong his mount stayed on powerfully to get up close home for a half-length victory. The trainer’s son Conor said afterwards:- “We thought he was very nice at home but we only have two two-year-olds so it’s very hard to gauge. “We only had him away once, in Tipperary racecourse, a couple of weeks ago when Andy Slattery rode him for us. “As Charles Byrnes says one thing they’ll never be able to hide is ability and it’s kinda true. “He got shuffled back a bit early but Dusty gave him a lovely ride and cajoled him into the straight. “Once he got a bit of daylight he actually ran a little bit green and went to go in behind Colin’s horse (Pliny). Once Dusty got him out in the open her flew and I’d say he was a good winner at the line. “I’d say another 50 yards and he would have gone a good way clear. “Shane loved him. He said he was green and that he jumped off a bit keen so he slotted him in. He said he just was too far back with nowhere to go and he ran green up the straight. “He said once he got him motoring and into daylight he flew. “We thought he was nice but you’re never sure, we only have two or three Flat horses. “I picked him out as a yearling but (my sister) Kate actually bought him and he’s her horse. She had Raw Ability last year and has been lucky to get this fella again this year. “He’ll be for sale, we don’t have many Flat horses and the objective when buying them is to sell. If not he could go for a winners’ race or step into pattern company.”
