Tenant beats landlord with “absolute star”

Eleven-year-old Supreme Vinnie has been around the block and he put his experience to good use, coming out on top after a frantic conclusion to the Brownstown Head Handicap Hurdle at Tramore.

Many held chances going to two out here, including Rebel Waltz who made a slight mistake. Yaiza pecked at the same flight, and that Tramore specialist wasn’t fluent at the last either.

A great servant for the Moon & Stars Syndicate and trainer Denise O’Shea, Supreme Vinnie was well equipped to fight his corner and he jumped the last two well under Rachael Blackmore.

The Tipperary woman has won no less than seven races on the gelding, a son of Vinnie Roe, so fondly recalled over the last couple of days in the wake of Pat Smullen’s passing.

At the line Supreme Vinnie was a neck and three parts of a length up on Yaiza and Elegant Dan

Only three and a half lengths separated the first five home and Miss O’Shea remarked: "He is brilliant and is an absolute star.

“He was my first runner when I got my licence out a couple of years ago. He finished fourth that day and ever since he has been just an absolute star. He has won eight and Rachael has won seven on him. She is the makings of him and she is brilliant for him. He can be a little bit quirky but he has always been like that at home.

"The syndicate have been brilliant to me. They are a family-based syndicate and they bred him. To get another one like him now will be the problem.

"His mark over hurdles has come down a nice bit and he is rated 118 over fences. He just went a little bit wrong on me last year and that was more my fault than his. He just had one or two little niggly issues that we addressed along the winter and he is just coming back to form now.

"The ground is a big key to him. I have him in at Listowel next week over hurdles. If the ground stays dry we'd love another crack at the Munster National but it'll depend on the ground and how he is.

"He takes life very easy and swims an awful lot and is the boss around the yard. I love him to bits, he has been my star. Please God he might win another one or two.

"I rent from Liam Burke and we just beat him so hopefully I'll have a yard in the morning! I've been with Liam the last five years and he has been an absolute star to me."

B. Hayes, rider of Sweet Sting trained by Michael J. Bowe, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount didn't handle today's going.

(DM & EM)