Jamie Moriarty, who is apprenticed to John Oxx, had his claim reduced to 7lb after partnering his third winner aboard Lady Corduff in the Tattersalls Ireland Fillies Race at Sligo yesterday afternoon.
Moriarty (17) made virtually all on the Noel Meade-trained filly, easing her down in the closing stages to beat Business Matters by a length.
Billy Lee was another young apprentice in the winners enclosure, teaming up with Zeno to take the Foley's Bar & Off Licence Handicap. The Tommy Stack-trained gelding provided the 16-year-old Limerick rider with his first winner here a fortnight ago, and he again showed admirable coolness when waiting until inside the final 100 yards to head Gossie Madera for a length success. 'Zeno loves this place, and will bid to follow up under a penalty at the Curragh on Saturday,' said Stack's son Fozzy.
Slainte and amateur Kevin Power were another combination to follow up a recent course success in the Londis Maiden Hurdle. Power gave a polished display on the well-backed Christy Roche-trained mare, heading Corskeagh Thunder on the run-in for a neck victory.
Gordon Power recorded his tenth winner of the campaign when booting Shvera clear from the furlong pole to beat Scanlons Lass by six lengths in the Enniscrone Handicap.
Eamonn Sheehy, whose right arm was heavily bandaged after breaking a bone in his wrist in an accident at his Co. Kilkenny stable-yard on Tuesday, saddled Rocamadoura (Alan Donoghue) to gain an easy win in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle. 'She really wants good ground, and will probably go for something similar at Tralee next week,' said the Co. Kilkenny.
The north-western venue lost two meetings this year due to heavy rain, and a major drainage scheme is planned after this meeting. Racecourse manager Brian Kennedy said yesterday, 'Weather permitting, we will start a drainage programme of the complete track next Monday. The project will cost about 117,000 euro, and hopefully we can host a full schedule of six meetings in 2003.'
Alan Magee
