Pari Passu and Luke McAteer are clear© Photo Healy Racing
Luke McAteer rode his second winner when Pari Passu justified favouritism in the second split of the Meat Boutique Handicap at Dundalk.
Tony Mullins' charge, a well-backed 4/1 favourite (from 6s) always looked in control from the front up the straight.
The big chestnut son of New Approach eventually crossed the line two and a quarter lengths in front of Society Ranger (10s into 6s), much to the delight of his young rider.
"That's my second winner and I thought I went a bit quick early on there," revealed McAteer.
"He was banging on the door twice, so I was kind of hoping tonight would be his night."
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. Hugh Hynes, that L.T. McAteer, rider of Pari Passu, had presented himself at scales at 2lbs overweight when weighing out.
Permission was granted to carry the overweight.
The Stewards wished to interview Mr Anthony Mullins, trainer of Pari Passu to establish the circumstances around the riding arrangement with reference to riding at the correct weight.
Mr Mullins was not present at this meeting and had not appointed an authorised representative to represent him in accordance with the provisions of Rule 147 (v).
Ms Jackie Carter, the groom responsible for Pari Passu, informed the Stewards that she had been given a letter of authorisation before leaving the trainers yard but had either forgotten it or mislaid it and therefore had not presented any letter of authorisation at the scales prior to the rider weighing out.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards referred the matter to the Referrals Committee of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
(GC & EM)
