Honor Oak (inside) just holds off the late surge of Cairdiuil© Photo Healy Racing
Honor Oak (16's to 14's on-course) just held off the late challenge of Cairdiuil to win the Galway Bay Golf Resort Handicap under Chris Hayes for Tom Hogan.
Successful at Dundalk in October of 2015, the grey daughter of Zebedee was placed three times since, and finished seventh on her most recent over the course and distance last month.
Both Cairdiuil and So Sensible were ahead of her on that occasion, but she managed to reverse the form today.
Sent straight to the front by Hayes, she went a few lengths clear in what turned out to be a race winning move approaching the straight.
Her advantage was reduced in the closing stages, but she done just enough to hold off the late surge of Cairdiuil by a head.
Cairdiuil, filling the runner-up spot at Galway for the seventh time in his career, was returned at 4/1 under Seamie Heffernan for Ian Madden, while the 7/2 favourite So Sensible was another length and a half back in third under Pat Smullen for Tracey Collins.
Tom Hogan said afterwards: "It was great to win on grass with her for the first time and she had become a little tired of Dundalk. She'll go to Listowel next."
STEWARDS REPORTS
K.A. Quinn, rider of Lady Ranger trained by Peter McCreery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran free during the early part of this race.
R.P. Cleary, rider of Super Focus trained by Thomas Cleary, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost her stride and stumbled soon after the start.
The Stewards interviewed M.A. Gallagher, rider of Marbeth concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race when racing out of contention. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that M.A. Gallagher was in breach of R10(3)(b) by using the whip unnecessarily after his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone. The Stewards cautioned M.A. Gallagher having taken his previous record into consideration.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
