Zonik and Cillian McConnell © Photo Healy Racing
John McConnell sent out his sixth winner in the space of 12 days when teaming up with his son Cillian to land division two of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap with Zonik at Dundalk.
The Kings & Queens Syndicate were out in force to see their three-year-old gelding who was a promising third over course and distance last month in first time cheek pieces.
The headgear was changed to blinkers here and the 5/1 shot finished best towards the far side for Cillian McConnell to beat Leabaland by a length and a half with Je T’ai Porte another half-a-length away in third.
Cillian McConnell said, "I'm absolutely delighted. It was quiet the whole way up the straight until I got about 100 yards out and then I heard this massive roar (Kings & Queens Syndicate).
"He was brilliant. To be completely honest, i didn't give him the best ride by any standards - it didn't really go to plan, but he got me out of trouble coming up the inside down the straight.
"He didn't really hold his form, I rode him for his third run in a maiden and he ran really well and might have outrun his mark a bit. Now he has come back in the handicap and getting a bit more competitive.
"The lads are telling me he is in here for next Wednesday, touch wood if he pulls out well. He's a lovely hardy horse at home, there's not a bother on him.
"I'd say he would be better over a bit more of a trip as well, I'd say he is a mile and a quarter horse in time.
"We bought him as a breezer there last year and we just always knew he was going to be more of a three-year-old than a two-year-old."
Quotes by Michael Graham
