Waipu Cove keeps rivals at bay

The Ger Lyons trained Waipu Cove ran out probably the easiest winner of the week at Galway today, landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap eased right down by jockey Leigh Roche.

Roche, riding his third winner of the week, sent the bottom-weight clear early in the home straight and with 100 yards to race, began pulling up his mount for a very easy three and three parts of a length win over Fit For Function

Afterwards Lyons' brother Shane Lyons stated "you never expect them to win like that and he was very impressive.

"We've always liked him and it was a toss up whether he went for the maiden last night or this nursery.

"When we realised he had 75, we were secretly a little bit happy and he'd a 17lb pull with the top horse (Antelope Canyon) for a length-and-a-quarter beating off levels at Roscommon.

"We've always liked him and thought he'd win a maiden so we'll take it from there. Without insulting anybody it might not have been the greatest race this week and I'm sure the handicapper will react."

He added "we put blinkers on him today as in Roscommon he went for a gap and just shied away and was babyish - we just use headgear to help them although he didn't need them as we could have tied a leg up!"

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson