The Winkler comes home an easy winner of the bumper at Killarney under Adam O'Neill© Photo Healy Racing
The Eoin Doyle trained, The Winkler was an appropriate winner of the last at Killarney, the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services 4yo Flat Race.
Owned by Jamie Dunphy, the grey gelding, who was having his second start today, was bought as a replacement for sixteen time winner The Fonze, who died one year ago tomorrow at Killarney after suffering a heart attack.
The son of Medaaly was sent off at 12/1 under Adam O’Neill (second winner of the week after partnering Sarah Battle to victory at Clonmel on Thursday) and he was prominent throughout.
He led before the straight and fended off the challenge of Frampton (later drifted badly right), going clear over a furlong out, staying on well to score by six lengths from the Austin Leahy trained Borussia in second at 20/1 under Jody McGarvey. Roi Des Francs was three lengths back in third under Patrick Mullins for his uncle Tony at 9/2 (opened 11/2 on-course) while the 7/2 favourite Denominator could only manage sixth under Mikey Fogarty for John 'Shark' Hanlon.
Eoin Doyle said afterwards: "He got no run in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper and he got murdered everywhere.
"He will be put away now and will come back around Listowel time for a winners bumper. All he'll do is improve.
"He was bought as a replacement for The Fonze, hence the name (actor Henry Winkler played the role of The Fonze in Happy Days)."
The Winkler was purchased for €27,000 at the Goffs Landrover NH Sale in June of last year. He is a half-brother to winners Tijuana Dancer, Corrick Bridge and Osirixamix, the latter won five times.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
