Former Champ McDonogh enjoying fine week

Declan McDonogh has enjoyed an excellent week and bagged a third winner in five days at Dundalk today as he made all on the Charles O'Brien trained Power Drive in the concluding Tapas & Cocktails @ Dundalk Stadium Handicap (div 2).

McDonogh, Champion Jockey in 2006, has endured a quieter than usual season but picked up wins in the Listed Blenheim Stakes and Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack Stakes in recent days and today added a third win since Monday on Power Drive.

O'Brien wasn't present and following the race McDonogh, who was steering his 23rd winner this season, stated “he was standing a little bit funny in the gates and I was afraid he might miss the break because I wanted to let him bowl and use his stride.

“He's a lovely big galloping horse who handles fast ground well and he'll make a lovely summer jumper. He has loads of scope and size.

“He was spot on today, Charles had him good, because when I gave him a squeeze off the turn he quickened a little bit.

“That's the key to him, fast ground and a good gallop. He loved that out in front bowling along. He could do now more than win there anyway.”

Quotes from Gary Carson