Coakley off mark in training ranks

Part owner Denis Coakley trained his first winner when Boxer Dunford ridden by his son Ross, came out on top in the second division of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

The distances between the first four home were three parts of a length three times as Boxer Dunford crossed the line ahead of Mostawfee Border Prince and Tom Dooley

"That's brilliant. It's my first winner from four runners," said Coakley.

"We were lucky as we would have been sticking to six and seven furlongs only there was nothing for him. We might have discovered by accident that his best trip is a mile.

"Denis Cullen trained three winners for us with Table Forty Six and Ross rode them but this is the first one I've trained."

The Stewards fined J.R. Hagan, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Badger Daly in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.

The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

P.J. Smullen, rider of Streisand trained by Tracey Collins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount suffered interference over a furlong out.

S.P. Davis, rider of Iconic Figure trained by Paul W. Flynn, reported to the Clerk of Scales that he was forced to check his mount after the gap in front of him closed.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Stamp Of Authority ridden by K.J. Manning, Streisand, ridden by P.J. Smullen, Iconic Figure, ridden by S.P. Davis and Invincible Queen ridden by S.T. McCullagh.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the S.T. McCullagh was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly.

Having taken his previous good record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended him for 1 raceday.

(GC & EM)