Mark Nunan
Hayes maintains purple patch with 2,587/1 treble
Trainer Niall Egan with Elzaamone and groom Barry Cronin
© Photo Healy Racing
Two weeks ago it was a 985/1 four-timer for Chris Hayes at Cork, and he finished up today’s action at the Curragh with a 2,587/1 treble after Elzaamone (28/1) took the Big Picture Communications Handicap.
The Elzaam 3-y-o, after showing up okay in his maidens along with a respectable run in a Listed event at Naas, was handed a mark of 65 for his first foray in handicap company.
He was prominent all the way up the centre of the course, and pulled out a bit more for his in-form rider to hold Boughtinthedark by half a length.
The slow-starting 10/3 favourite Miacomet never really got into it before keeping on late for fifth.
The winning jockey Hayes rode winners at 66/1, 33/1 and 28/1 over the course of the weekend at the Curragh.
Winning trainer Niall Egan (a brother of jockey John Egan) said: “That’s my first winner and I’m training on the far side of the Curragh in Brownstown.
“I bought him for 7,000 euro at the (yearling) sales so he’s a special buy and he’s been running well. I have seven in training all for the Flat and my supporters are from the Far East.
“I had my first runners at Dundalk in January and it’s great to get off the mark.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee