Michael Graham
Foley one from one at Galway!
Surreal, yellow cap, sets sail for home in Ballybrit
© Photo Healy Racing
Surreal pounced off the pace that was set by Battleroftheboyne to give Jane Foley and Gary Carroll a Galway success.
Carroll had the five-year-old mare ideally sited in third to take aim at the pace. Once Golden Shoe weakened in the straight he sent her after Battleroftheboyne and she readily scored by a length at 25/1. Sretaw looked to be the danger. She stayed on from mid-division and was closing on the winner at the line at 9/1. This was the fifth race in-a-row that Sretaw was the bridesmaid. Antiquus at 16/1 was half a length adrift in third. Footprint the 6/1 favourite, was never a factor in 15th.
Jane Foley said: “I took the hood off her and I was hoping she would run very well. Thankfully she did! It’s the first time I’ve had a runner in Galway so it’s great. I haven’t looked any further ahead with her. I’m delighted with that.”
The Stewards requested a report from Jane M. Foley, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Surreal, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Jane M. Foley reported that she contributed the improved run to the removal of the hood which the filly had worn on the previous nine occasions. Having considered the evidence the
Stewards noted the content of the report.
D. Robinson, rider of Lake George trained by James M. Barrett, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran short of room when starting to race into the dip and was forced to check. D.P. McDonogh, rider of Oor Jock trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount checked off heels when starting to race into the dip.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson