Job done for Flameseeker & Chris Hayes at Listowel© Photo Healy Racing
County Limerick native Chris Hayes is taking the 2012 Harvest Festival at Listowel by storm and he added to his Monday success with a double in the opening races at stage three of the meeting, completed by Flameseeker in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.
Half-an-hour earlier Hayes enjoyed a comprehensive victory on Seolan but he had to work harder on Flameseeker, though the chestnut looked to have more left in the locker as he accounted for the staying-on again Abu Nayef by a length and a half.
Money came in this mile contest for Long Away (8s into 9/2) but that plunge was 'gone west' a fair way from home, the Galileo filly finishing fifth.
Hayes said: "His experience paid off. I had him in a lovely rhythm the whole way. When we turned in he was just idling a bit. He is straight-forward and genuine.
"I thought looking at my book of rides today that Fit The Cove (4.05) was my best chance so it's nice to have a double already."
Flameseeker is trained by Patrick Prendergast and he is owned Rick Barnes (an American by birth, but a Bahamian now). He of course has Grangecon Stud in County Wicklow.
Many will remember Flameseeker's sire, Heatseeker winning in the Barnes colours for David Wachman at Naas and Tipperary in 2005. He was third then in the National Stakes. He went on to be a Grade 1 winner in the States. (DM & EM)
