Aurora Eclipse (Luke McAteer, nearside) held off It's All A Joke (Siobhan Rutledge)© Photo Healy Racing
Division one of the Fairyhouse Racing From Home Handicap saw trainer Kevin Coleman and jockey Luke McAteer complete a Friday afternoon double with Aurora Eclipse (22s into 8s).
A six-year-old now, the successful Kodiac mare was adding to a two-year-old success achieved under the late great Pat Smullen at Naas back in October 2017.
Following on from her stable companion Queens Carriage earlier, Aurora Eclipse took advantage of the fact that in the words of her rider, things “opened up like the Red Sea” in the straight.
She led a furlong and a half out and with reduced advantage close home she was all out to contain It’s All A Joke by a head.
“This filly was a very good filly and to be honest she's only here because she is Queen Carriage's lead horse,” said Coleman.
“She's the only one that can lead her and is probably actually a better work horse than her.
“This was definitely her last chance today. She was down to a good mark but she's been down to a winnable mark for a long time and I don't know what happened today.
“The soft ground maybe made a difference but even the race didn't go right for her and she still won. I'm gobsmacked that she won to be honest.
“We know what she can do at home but she's never done it on the track for me. She was decent for Michael O'Callaghan.”
The Stewards requested a report from Kevin Thomas Coleman, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Aurora Eclipse, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Kevin Thomas Coleman reported that this filly had been placed fourth in a Listed race at Newmarket for her previous trainer but had steadily dropped in her rating to today's low of 51. He added that he was pleased with her previous run at Navan on the 15th May following an absence of nine months from racing and while she works well, she has failed to produce that form on the track but the soft ground conditions and the fact that his horses are generally in very good form may have also been contributing factors to her success today. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
The Stewards met to consider a report from Ms Joan Taylor, IHRB Veterinary Officer that two runners trained by Lee Smyth became a concern to her and her assistant when being microchipped in the stable yard. Ms Taylor stated that Adams Barbour (4th Race) and Dolce Sicily (5th Race) had a strong smell of menthol from the muzzle area on close examination. Lee Smyth stated that he applied Olbus Oil to the outside of the muzzles when fitting them in the stable yard. He confirmed that he had used this product on many occasions in the past. Having considered all the evidence including the active ingredients contained in Olbus Oil, the Stewards were satisfied that there were prohibited substances contained within to which the horses may have been exposed and pursuant to Rule 18 (a)(b) & (c), they ordered the withdrawal of Adams Barbour (4th Race) and Dolce Sicily (5th Race) and ordered samples be taken from both animals for analysis.
(GC & EM)
