Danube makes it eight at Dundalk

Grey Danube recorded his eighth win at Dundalk tonight to tie the record for number of wins at the all-weather venue.

Darren Bunyan ’s charge made all in the seven furlong Ramada Resort, Dundalk Handicap to land the spoils under Damien Melia. Cocoa Beach finished off well to get within half a length of the 20/1 winner with a length-and-three-quarters back to 10/3 favourite The Mouse Doctor

It was a good start to a new job for Melia who is now apprenticed to Bunyan. The jockey had last visited the winners enclosure in March 2014.

“I’m delighted to get that again with him. He was unlucky here the last night when he just threw away the start a bit,” said Bunyan.

“I think that takes him level, on eight, for the most wins here at Dundalk. The difference with him, and the credit he deserves, is that he’s doing it at the top end here all the time.

“He’s consistent here every year, winning his races. He normally gets us to thirty every year and although he didn’t this year he paid for the honeymoon tonight. I’m just back off honeymoon on Monday.

“He’s the only horse I have now this winter for the all-weather as I’ve changed the yard around a good bit and got rid of all the older horses.

“We’ve a real smart bunch of three-year-olds for this year and we bought in a lovely bunch of two-year-olds. We’re very much looking forward to the turf season.

“This lad will be around as long as I’m around - he’s part of the furniture.

“When you have one that can get within earshot of this lad you know you have one.

“We’re delighted with him. He’s a star in his own right.

“I had the six furlong fast track qualifier in March in mind for him. That’s a definite part of the plan for him. He can go five, six or seven furlongs these days. He’s best over six and seven.

“There is no reason not to think about Lingfield should be win the qualifier.

“He’s not your typical five, six furlong horse as you can’t run him that often. He gives everything he has every time he runs. I don’t normally want to run him twice within a month.

“We might look at something in February or might just keep him fresh for the qualifier.

“It’s great for Damien who signed on with us a couple of months ago as that’s his first winner in a while.

“He’s a great addition to the team this year. He was doing everything right and that’s why I gave him the opportunity. He’ll do well hopefully.”

Banna Boirche, Hes Our Music Political Policy and Shake The Bucket are the others to have registered eights wins at Dundalk.