Gelded Kernoff sprints to first success

Kernoff made a winning reappearance back on turf when finishing strongly to land the five-furlong maiden at Tipperary.

The son of Excellent Art was gelded over the winter after filling the runner-up spot three times on the Polytrack at Dundalk.

Shane Foley, backed on track from 9/2 into 100/30, got a nice run up the far rail to lead a furlong out and kept on well to beat Full Steam Ahead by two lengths.

The 6/4 favourite Champagne Or Water could find no extra in the final furlong to finish a further length and a quarter back in third.

Winning trainer Michael Halford said, “He has run some good races at Dundalk but got a bit weak over the winter. I probably shouldn’t have run him the last day but it looked a winnable race.

“We gelded him over the winter and hopefully he’ll improve through the summer. He should get six furlongs.

“I’m delighted to train a winner for Jonathan Clague. I trained the dam, Daganya, who won the Listed Sweet Mimosa Stakes at Leopardstown.”

(TW & AM)