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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Roche rides first winner for Meade

Wed 30th Nov 2022, 14:39

Shangrilama and Leigh RocheShangrilama and Leigh Roche
© Photo Healy Racing

Leigh Roche registered a first winner for trainer Noel Meade today, landing Dundalk's opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden on the Liam Queally owned and bred, 70-rated Shangrilama (16/1).

Having her sixth run, the daughter of Profitable disputed the lead and in the final furlong battled well to beat newcomers Den Of Iniquity and Bitacora

Meade said "she does stay so we thought we would hang on to her if he could and, if he (Roche) was comfortable, he'd stay up there. A mile would probably suit her even better.

"I thought she had a great chance because she's after maturing a lot and she has got a lot stronger, and she looks great. The unknown was the surface - she was never on it before, but she seemed to handle it well.”

It was Roche's 18th ride for Meade, who added “I'm delighted for Leigh, he has been riding a bit of work for me lately. Colin (Keane) asked me would I give him a chance, so I'm happy all round."

Quotes from Michael Graham

1st
16/1
Tote €17.00 €3.70
2nd
nk
3/1Fav
€1.80
3rd
hd
10/3
€1.50
4th
0.5L
10/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.