Halford Steps it up at Killarney with 1-2

Michael Halford saddled a 1-2 in the Celtic Steps Maiden as the market leaders dominated race two at Killarney.

Front-running joint-favourite Would Be King (3/1) was already beaten when winner Vivianite (3/1, first time hood on) edged in on him under a furlong out.

Vivianite's stable companion Spirit Of Bing Bang was then left to chase through, and half a length split them at the line.

The aforementioned Would Be King ended up a length and three parts off the Halford pair in third.

"Maybe the two of them deserved it but he'll (Spirit Of Big Bang) have his day too. It was nice to get a bracket with her and her form was good, her last two runs in particular, and she was entitled to go and win her maiden," said Halford on the Ballygallon Stud owned and bred three-year-old.

"She relaxed well with the hood but wasn't doing a whole lot in front.

"It's Ronan's (Whelan, successful pilot) first winner for us - he hadn't ridden an awful lot for us but has been a bit lately. He meets us an odd time to sit on one at the Curragh but has commitments with Jim Bolger. He's on the Curragh on a Wednesday and rides a bit of work for us."

The Stewards informed D. K. Weld, trainer that Shareva would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Would Be King, ridden by C.T. Keane, placed second and Vivianite, ridden by R.P. Whelan, placed first, where it appeared Would Be King momentarily ran short of room on the rail. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action other than to advice R. P. Whelan to ride with care in future.

(TW & EM)