Matt pleased with Sam and Joe “I would have fancied her apart from the draw (stall seventeen) but he gave her a serious ride and is a jockey going places,” said Matthew Smith after winning the Barna Recycling Handicap at Galway with top-weight Excuzio Joe. Easy to back in the immediate run up to the start, the successful three-year-old filly, a daughter of Epaulette (5s out to 8s), beat John McConnell’s Kudbegood (finished off well) by three parts of a length. McConnell also saddled the fourth home, market-leader Sagittarius Rising. Building on placings at Fairyhouse and the Curragh Excuzio Joe was held up in mid-division, ridden and making progress in seventh two furlongs out. She disputed second on the outer a furlong out, narrowly leading in the last hundred and fifty yards, keeping on well close home to seal the deal. “She’s a tough little filly and is improving away,” further reflected Smith. “I think there’s a race there for her over a mile at the Curragh or Naas before the end of the season.” S. Foley, rider of Lottieloveheart trained by Leanne Breen, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped at the bottom of the straight. A.J. Slattery, rider of True Companion trained by H.Beggs, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left during this race. (EM)
