Gosford, dark blue and purple, gets the verdict from fast-finishing Designer Cailin, near side© Photo Healy Racing
Gosford brought up plenty of bets when just holding on in the first division of the seven furlong handicap in Gowran Park.
Eddie Lynam 's three-year-old gelding was backed from 10/1 to 7/2 this morning before being returned at 11/2. Like the first winner on the card, Uluru he was sired by Zoffany.
He made good headway to come through to lead narrowly a furlong and a half down, and climbed the hill well.
Dylan Browne McMonagle got a late tune out of Designer Cailin who took aim at the leader in the closing stages and finished strongly to force the photograph.
Gosford got the verdict by a nose from the 6/1 runner-up. Engines On outran his 66/1 odds in third, half a length away.
“I took my time from the wide draw, he travelled well enough into the race and quickened up well. I was just left there with nothing to aim at. He was in front a long way down, I hit the front too soon,” said jockey Billy Lee.
“I was lucky to hold on, it's tiring ground out there. He did it well and he was tough.
“I'd like to think he could go in again. I'm not sure if he's in Galway but there should be another day in him no problem.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
