Miss Gally Rio beats the boys

On her third outing of the campaign Miss Gally Rio s progression carried her all the way to the number one spot under Tom Madden in the opening UL Racing Society Maiden at Limerick.

Willie McCreery 's Captain Rio filly was never far away and she headed Space Velocity under a furlong out.

She then drifted to her left but in truth second favourite Bush Pilot seemed to have every chance to go by and was half a length down at the line. A steward's enquiry saw the placings remain unaltered.

Market-leader The Islander led early but he was soon settled in by Joseph O'Brien. He never looked like getting to the principals in the straight and was two and a quarter lengths adrift in third at the line.

McCreery said: "She's a tough filly. She's lazy as sin at home but the bit of race fitness counted in the last hundred yards.

"Hopefully she'll keep improving and it's a first winner for the owner, Aidan Glynn from Galway."

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Bush Pilot, ridden by P.J.

Smullen, placed second and Miss Gally Rio, ridden by T.P. Madden, placed first, where it appeared Miss Gally Rio drifted towards Bush Pilot. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings. They did, however, advise T.P. Madden to ride with more care. W. McCreery, trainer of Miss Gally Rio, accompanied Apprentice Jockey T.P. Madden at this enquiry. Mrs T.K. Cooper absented herself from this enquiry.

The Stewards enquired into an incident about two furlongs from the finish involving Bush Pilot, ridden by P.J.Smullen, placed second, Russian Roulette ridden by F.M. Berry, unplaced and Miss Gally Rio, ridden by T.P. Madden, placed first, where it appeared Russian Roulette was squeezed for room and checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that T.P. Madden had caused the incident by riding carelessly and suspended him for 1 raceday having taken his inexperience into consideration. W.McCreery, trainer of Miss Gally Rio, accompanied Apprentice Jockey T.P. Madden at this enquiry. Mrs T.K. Cooper absented herself from this enquiry.

W.J. Lee, rider of Love The Feeling trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped slowly out of stalls, was flatfooted when the pace quickened but stayed on in the closing stages.

(TW & EM)