The Caddy Rose and Mark O'Hare pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The Caddy Rose completed a double for Noel Meade, as she ran out a very easy winner of the last at Punchestown, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
Placed on four of her previous seven starts, the daughter of Presenting certainly wasn't winning out of turn.
She went down by just a neck on her most recent outing over the course on New Year's Eve, and was sent off an 11/2 chance (from 9/2) this afternoon, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.
Sent straight to the front by Mark O'Hare, the Jimmy Kernohan owned victor made all, and powered clear from the two furlong pole, going on to score easily by sixteen lengths.
Outsider Embracincurvacious (33/1) kept on to take second under Michael O'Sullivan for Michael Kennedy, while newcomer Coromandel Lady (14/1) was a nose back in third.
Fasolo Tido was sent off the well-backed 11/10 favourite, but she faded tamely before the straight, and eventually finished a disappointing seventh under Patrick Mullins.
Meade, who was earlier successful with Free Ranger said afterwards: "That was great and we'll go jumping now. Mark said the cheek pieces were a help as she travelled really well.
"When she got into a bunch she was inclined to get a bit shy, and I think the fact that she got her own way in front today was a help.
"She'd been threatening to do that for a while. She's from a very good family that includes Harbour Pilot and is by Presenting. She'll make a nice broodmare some day."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed Mr M.J. O'Hare, rider of The Caddy Rose, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of 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 Mr M.J. O'Hare was in breach of R10 (3)(c) by using the whip unnecessarily after his mount clearly had it's race won. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Mr M.J. O'Hare for 2 racedays.
The Stewards interviewed Mr M.J. O'Hare, rider of The Caddy Rose, concerning video evidence that showed he had used a mobile phone in the unsaddling area post race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who admitted the offence but claimed that he was handed the phone by Noel Meade, trainer, to talk to the owner of The Caddy Rose. Having considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that Mr M.J. O'Hare was in breach of R16 (Mobile telephones) and cautioned him having taken his clean previous record in this regard into consideration.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fasola Tido trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
