Alan Magee
Crystal follows up in style
Crystal Earth (Ronan Whelan) scores in clearcut fashion
© Photo Healy Racing
Crystal Earth recorded her second win this week when following up an easy Ballinrobe victory by taking the concluding two-mile handicap at Tramore.
Trainer Peter Fahey’s team have enjoyed a great run over the past month, and the six-year-old mare is certainly doing her bit with this second win in the space of four days under a 5lb penalty.
The well-supported 13/8 favourite quickened well for Ronan Whelan to lead over a furlong out, and kept on to beat Baracas (25/1) by a length and three quarters. Chill (backed on track from 14/1 down to 8/1) was just a half-length further adrift in third.
Fahey said, “That was great. Our hand was kind of forced with her as she is due to go up another 6lb. I don’t think she would have won with another 6lb on her back there. She is in again at Bellewstown on Thursday but I doubt if she will run there.
“All my horses have come to hand in the past month or so, and I want to thank Anthony Coyne who is a friend of the owner (Gilbert De Meester) and does a lot of acupuncture. She will go over hurdles next year.”
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy