Owega impresses on hurdling debut Owega Star, who finished second to Saint Gervais in a bumper over the course and distance last Thursday, went one place better today on his hurdling debut in the MJ Carroll ARRO Maiden Hurdle. Trained by Peter Fahey and ridden by Andrew Leigh the son of Basanta ran in two point-to-point's earlier this year. He ran out on his debut at Belclare and then finished fourth of nine on his next start at Marlin. He then made his racecourse debut at Killarney in May springing a 16/1 surprise winning a bumper over two miles. Sent off at 7/1 today, the 4yo gelding made progress from before the third last and then disputed the lead from before the next. He then moved into the lead on the run to the last and was driven clear on the run-in to score by three and three parts of a lengths. The 11/4 joint favourite Run With The Wind couldn't match the winner and finished second while the other joint favourite It's Ironic was a further nine lengths back in third. Winning trainer Peter Fahey said afterwards: "We think an awful lot of him. He is well above average. "He came out of his last race so well that we decided to run him here today. He is only a 4yo and is still very weak. "He will have a small break now. He will then go for a winners of one before going for some of the good novice hurdles. "My brother in-law Anthony Callan bred him and my mother Maureen owns him."
