18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Forty-rated filly causes Cork surprise

Fri 5th May 2023, 20:10

Purring Along and Nathan Crosse Purring Along and Nathan Crosse
© Photo Healy Racing

Purring Along caused a 33/1 upset to land Cork's Follow Us On Instagram Handicap today, winning despite possessing an official flat rating of just 40.

Trainer Shane Duffy trains the ex-Homer Scott trained filly for owners/breeders partners David Mooney and Michelle Shannon and having recently dropped below the basement rating of 45, showed improvement to win today's 11 runner race by a half-length, from Designer Cailin

Duffy revealed “would you believe that wasn't a surprise as she works really well at home.

“She has been tricky at times in her races, is a bit fussy and you have to keep her sweet so we put the visor on today. We changed things, jumped forward and tried to keep it simple and Nathan (Crosse, winning jockey) gave her a peach.

“She had a few average runs last year and kept dropping down the handicap. It took me two runs to get a handle on her and the head gear worked out.

“I had a chat with Mark Bird (handicapper) before racing and asked him not to drop her any further as she'd fall out of the page soon, being rated 40. She has plenty of ability at home, works very well and we'll look for something similar again.”

1st
33/1
Tote €39.20 €8.80
2nd
0.5L
5/1
€1.80
3rd
1.25L
3/1
€1.70
4th
1.25L
11/4Fav
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.