California Soul (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer/jockey Denis Hogan overcame an anxious moment at the start of the August Festival 17th-20th Maiden Hurdle at Tramore today to win on his California Soul
Hogan’s mount was impeded by another horse as the race started but the pair gradually worked their way into contention and in the end flew home to edge past Pat’s Pearl close home, for a head win.
Afterwards Hogan said “I missed the start and got further back than I wanted to be, but in hindsight it worked out. He wears the blinkers and needed to get a toe (lead) everywhere and just got there in time.
I always thought a bit of this horse; he was going to win in Bartlemy first time out this time last year but tipped up and I don't know how he hasn't won a race or been in the first three, as were the qualifications for this race.
“I rode him in Down Royal last Friday and I thought I was there a bit soon on him. When I pulled up I had this race in my head. I thought at least he still qualifies for Tramore!
“He could go anything from two to three miles. He is by Yeats and they do stay; two and a half miles is probably his optimum and we'll have a bit of summer fun with him."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy
