Trump Card and Shane Crosse © Photo Healy Racing
Trump Card (11/1) left behind some moderate recent efforts to win the second split of the Johnston Handicap for horses rated 45-65.
The 8-year-old gelding was given a patient ride by Shane Crosse before making headway on the outer over two furlongs out. He led over a furlong out and asserted late on to win by a length and a quarter from Crackaway
It was a fifth career success, and a first in over two years, for the Conor O’Dwyer-trained winner who was the second leg of a double for Crosse after impressive juvenile Snaffles earlier on.
Crosse remarked: “This fella is no young horse anymore so he probably just takes a bit of codding.
"In fairness, Conor (O'Dwyer) said he was in nice shape at home and was showing all the sparks he had been. We just needed him to come back to form and he did.
"I never rode him before but he is very uncomplicated and tries his best.
"The owner (Hugo Kane of the Trump syndicate) is delighted, that's the main thing."
Quotes from Michael Graham
