Team draw blank in Australia Disappointment all round in Adelaide today after the Irish jump riders team, Roger Loughran, Alan Crowe, Paddy Mangan and Mattie Bowes, failed to ride a winner on Irish Day at Morphettville. Adding to the jockey's despondency was the fact that they won't be riding at Warrnambool on Monday after a spat between the South Australian Jockey Club and their Victorian counterparts regarding sharing travelling expenses for the series. Never in the 25 years of this Aus vs Ire Jumping Series have the Irish visitors failed to ride a winner at this stage. Out of luck at Balaklava on Wednesday, there was plenty of optimism before racing with two A$40,000 jump races here but the Irish luck just wasn't there. Paddy Mangan was beaten two lengths in the hurdle, going under to an odds-on chance partnered by Donal MacAuley, riding his first winner in Australia since coming out here a few months ago. Alan Crowe finished third. In the steeple Roger Loughran was on Tadgh but this odds-on favourite was kicked at the start and, although passed o.k to run, could only manage fifth place behind Gavin Bedggood, successful twice in Ireland on the last visit by the Australian riders, and local rider Aaron Lynch. Again Alan Crowe managed a third placing. Paddy Mangan's mount Guara Grove Beast suffered a fatal fall here but Mangan appeared to walk away unscathed. And, with no Warrnambool on Monday, that's the end of a disastrous 25th visit. The jockeys will be home on Thursday morning. But as a despondent Alan Crowe said, “A least we can watch Tipperary win the match”.
