Wrecking Ballbilly and Oran McGill winning the bumper© Photo Healy Racing
Persistent rain at Downpatrick resulted in the Caleb And Ezra Starkey Flat Race being reduced to just four runners and Wrecking Ballbilly ultimately ran out a convincing winner at odds of 4/1.
The extended 2m1f event originally had nine declared (four taken out due to change in going) and the Noel Kelly-trained gelding had his three rivals all in trouble approaching the straight.
Oran McGill ’s mount kept on well inside the final furlong to beat Cap Bernat by five lengths with the odds-on Western Fold four and a quarter lengths back in third.
Kelly said, "He was just minding him today on the soft ground. He's loads better on better ground, he said he hated the ground. We came here for our local track and always like to get a winner here.
"He's as green as leaves this horse. We were minding him at home and he is probably the nicest horse we have had in the yard this long time. He's a very classy horse and a big baby.
"He probably needs a break to be honest, he's had three runs this year - second, second and first. He'll be a lovely horse next year.
"He needs to learn to grow up a wee bit, he needs a winter on the grass and to settle down. I don't think I will run him again (this year), we could sell him and keep him in the yard or sell him on. We are selling everything now, it used to be I kept everything.
"I would probably give him another bumper (next year) if he wises up a wee bit.
"He has a fair engine. I saw him gallop on the beach with good horses one day and inside half a furlong there was 30 lengths of difference - I never saw anything like it in my life. It nearly brought a tear to my eyes!"
Quotes by Michael Graham
