Murphy off the mark in the training ranks

Damian Murphy obviously meant business with his booking of Patrick Mullins for Duhallow Gesture (10s into 11/2) in the p2p.ie The Irish Point To Point Website Mares Point-To-Point INH Flat Race at Tipperary. Those that took the hint were rewarded as Murphy got off the mark on the racecourse proper in the training ranks.

Forever associated in his riding days with the great hunter chaser Whyso Mayo, Murphy here saddled the well-bred Duhallow Gesture for owner Joe O'Sullivan.

From the family of Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman the daughter of King's Theatre showed all the promise of her pedigree to quicken up when required despite hanging. She ended up beating Bang Bang Rosie and Holycross Lito by two lengths and four and a half lengths.

"I only got my license on Wednesday and entered her on Thursday so it's a lovely way to start. I did my course in November but had nothing to run," explained Murphy afterwards.

"She was always a nice mare but was a baby last year. I had her to train for the autumn and she won really well at Quakerstown under Gerry Mangan. He unfortunately broke two ribs last weekend and was unable to ride her.

"I thought if she was able to be fifth here last year, she'd have a right chance today with someone else up! (Murphy rode her himself then)

"Her dam is a half-sister to Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman and is a half-sister to two black-type horses.

"I've been very lucky as Trevor Hemmings has been absolutely brilliant to me and I had a lot of horses to pre-train for him last winter - I've been breaking horses for him for 13 years.

"I came to the conclusion that I would have to stop riding when I had Mr Hemmings' horses and being 42, I decided to concentrate on the 30 horses at home.

"It depends on what Joe (O'Sullivan, owner) wants to do but she could go for a winners' bumper next or else the sales.

"I have one more mare for the track."

His time in the riding ranks yielded 349 winners and when asked how this success compared to partnering Whyso Mayo to victory at Cheltenham Murphy remarked: "No, riding is riding and nothing can compare to that."

The Stewards interviewed Mr F. O'Connor, rider of Aunty Kitty concerning his use of the whip in this race. 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 the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(b), in that he used the whip unnecessarily when out of contention and having considered his clean record, cautioned him concerning his future responsibilities in this regard.

The Stewards fined James G.Sheehan, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Shazzamataz in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

(TW & EM)