Leitir breaks duck
Sunday 9 September 2012
Leitir Mor got off the mark at the 10th attempt when just holding on for Group Three honours in the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.
Jim Bolger's two-year-old (11-1) had been second in six of his nine starts, including once in Group One company, before finally losing his maiden tag.
Kevin Manning's mount took a couple of lengths out of the field in the closing stages and it proved decisive. He was being caught hand over fist by Cougar Ridge at the end, but the post came in time as he got the verdict by a short head.
Bolger's travelling head lad Ger Flynn said: "That was brilliant. He's finally got the monkey off his back. At Dundalk the last day it just didn't happen for him. I don't think he likes the place."
Tarana finished powerfully when making a successful debut in the Moyglare 50 EBF Fillies Maiden. The John Oxx-trained juvenile produced a telling turn of foot for Niall McCullagh in the closing stages to run out an emphatic two-length winner.
Bronte had most of her rivals flat out as she tried to make all the running, but she had no answer to the late kick of Tarana (12-1), who took the spoils for owner the Aga Khan. Kerisa, in the same colours and also trained by Oxx, was third.
The handler said: "I thought she'd run well as she's looked like a nice filly at home. Niall said she really woke up in the last couple of furlongs.
"We'll see how she goes as I suspect she likes decent ground being a Cape Cross, but there are a couple of Listed races over the next month and she'll probably run in one of those."
Oxx believes there will be no immediate decision on a replacement for the Aga Khan's retained jockey in Ireland following the split with Johnny Murtagh.
He added: "It's a 'best available' arrangement at the moment and I don't believe His Highness is in a great hurry to make any changes, but I'm sure he will let everyone know if he does."
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