The Money for the Spider was right

Successful for a couple of different yards in the past, Money Spider landed a gamble on start number five today for Johnny Levins at Tipperary.

Picked up by current connections for 60,000 Euros at Goffs last October, the Seamus Mannion-owned daughter of Danehill Dancer was backed in from around 20/1 'in the offices' to a starting price of 6/1 for the Tipperary Youth Raceday Handicap.

She was brought through from mid-division here by Gary Carroll, to lead inside the final furlong, going on to see off Ebadani by half a length.

Levins explained: "A couple of lads that rode her said she wanted good ground so we gave her a break over the winter.

"Gary was brilliant – I gave him no instructions and he said he'd be handy. He let her back to where she was comfortable though.

"She's in again on Saturday at Limerick over two miles. That'll probably suit her – it should be right up her street.

"Provided her bloods are good she'll take her chance."

The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Money Spider, trained by J.F. Levins, placed first compared with its recent form. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned who stated that he had acquired this filly from another trainer and had subsequently ran her twice under the Rules of Racing at Leopardstown 2nd April and three days later at Gowran Park.

He stated that both runs were on heavy ground and when ridden by R.P. Whelan at Leopardstown, the rider was of the opinion that the filly hated the underfoot conditions and needed better ground. J. F. Levins further added that as he had the filly entered at Gowran Park three days later, he decided to run her and avail of the services of professional Jockey G.F. Carroll.

Following this run also on heavy ground, the rider confirmed the opinion of R.P. Whelan by claiming that she hated the heavy ground and needed better ground. As a result of the riders opinions the filly was freshened up. He noted an improvement in her and she was also working well at home recently. The better underfoot conditions also contributed to the improved performance today.

Under questioning he did accept that this filly had previously won on heavy ground. Evidence was also heard from Mark Bird, Turf Club Rules of Racing Handicapper, who stated that this filly had been dropped a total of 5 lbs for her two runs on heavy ground at both Leopardstown and Gowran Park on the assumption that she had previously handled heavy ground. He confirmed that she had been dropped from a rating of 72 to 67 .

Having considered the evidence the Stewards referred the matter to the Turf Club for further investigation.

(AM & EM)