Storm Ryker© Photo Healy Racing
Ross Coakley enjoyed a winner on his second ride back in Ireland since returning from a month in Australia at Dundalk this evening when steering the Michael Halford trained, 'for export' Storm Ryker to win the Hibernia Steel Apprentice Handicap.
Coakley had spent the past month riding 'down under' and returned to action on fifth placed Hanrai in today's opener, before guiding 70 rated Storm Ryker to a length and three parts win over Mokhalad
Afterwards Halford reported "Ross (Coakley) is apprenticed to Johnny Murtagh but he comes into us two mornings a week. He was in Australia (with Gai Waterhouse) for a month, and is an apprentice with plenty of experience so he's very valuable in those sort of races.
"This horse tends to get a bit on his toes behind the stalls and last week he got very upset, and Conor Hoban said he was really panicking. He had a bit of a think before he went in again but travelled though the race lovely and picked up well.
"He goes to Singapore later this month to continue his career out there. I'm sure he'll win plenty of races and give them plenty of fun. Eric Koh is a good supporter and we've had plenty of luck for him."
Quotes from Alan Magee
