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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Araqeel takes opener with ease

Thu 15th Sep 2016, 14:15


© Photo Healy Racing

Araqeel justified his short price in the opening Tote Maiden at Listowel today with a convincing success under Pat Smullen.

Dermot Weld 's charge tracked front-runner Zauffaly in the mile contest and the 8/13 favourite travelled sweetly into the lead a furlong-and-a-half from home.

Smullen asked the Dutch Art gelding to stretch inside the final furlong and he galloped on strongly for a four-and-a-quarter length success.

The winner was making his first start since finishing third to Irish Guineas winner Awtaad in a Leopardstown maiden last October.

Mark Weld, son of the trainer, said: "We're very happy with him. He had a little hold up with him last year but his form was very strong. It's nice to confirm that form and he'll go for a handicap next."

Smullen added:- "It was a very weak race and he handled conditions well. It's gluey ground but we'd have been disappointed if he had been beaten - he had some very good form last year."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)

1st
8/13Fav
Tote €1.50 €1.02
2nd
4.25L
5/1
€1.50
3rd
2.75L
10/1
€3.80
4th
nk
9/2
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.