German-bred, French Listed winner gains first Irish success

The Denis Hogan trained Kerosin defied top weight to win the concluding Crowne Plaza Jockey&Trainer Awards Handicap at Dundalk this evening, gaining a first Irish win in the process.

Declared to carry top weight and 10st8lbs, Donagh O'Connor's 5lbs claim lightened the load and in the end that claim proved very helpful as the James McAuley owned gelding scored a half length win over Secret Wizard

Trainer Hogan later commented “that was great and all credit to Donagh as it didn't look like happening.

“The plan was to ride him third or fourth but he didn't jump, they flew and he ended up way out of it. It worked out well.

“That's probably his best trip and he's been running over a mile-and-a-half here. I rode him myself one night and Kevin Manning rode him the last night. He suggested claiming off him as he's just a few pounds strong.

“Tonight he carried 10-8 minus 5lb so it's a lot of weight.

“It's great for the lads, James Gough and James McAuley, as they have a good few horses with me now. They are good supporters and are down every week.

“We've a good few to run here over the winter.He'll probably go back jumping at some stage, in the spring or summer. He's 116 and I'd imagine we'll try to exploit that somewhere along the line.”

Kerosin's previous wins were gained in his native Germany (twice) and latterly in a Listed race in Cagnes-Sur-Mer in France in February 2015.

Quotes from Gary Carson