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- Browne tastes success with The Cola Kid
Michael Graham
Browne tastes success with The Cola Kid
The Cola Kid grabs his first victory
© Photo Healy Racing
The Cola Kid made the breakthrough at Cork with a new headgear combination of a tongue-strap and cheekpieces.
The 28/1 shot came off the bridle with less than two furlongs of this furlong sprint to negotiate, however, he found plenty for pressure.
He was strongest deep in the final furlong as he got the better of Sunset Nova (9/1) by half a length with Dylan Browne McMonagle in the plate.
"I thought I'd never have another one - my horses were always in good form but everything was going arse-ways!" trainer Michael Browne said.
"He was unlucky in Fairyhouse when he didn't get going in time but I'm glad to win.
"He stays going once you get him into a good rhythm and once you get stuck into him he stays at it. He is a tough horse, will win another one of those and he (the handicapper) can't give him too much for today.
"Patrick Moyles from Mayo owns him and has a few horses in training and I have a couple belonging to him.
"My earlier runner (Keepthebestsideout) also ran very well and I'm not cribbing but her stall was a bit late opening; I'm not blaming it but the number one (stall) opened fast and maybe in another 100 yards she might have got up."
He added: It's the best thrill in the world having a winner and you may give it a write-up as it won't happen again for a long time!"
The Stewards requested a report from Michael J. Browne, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of The Cola Kid (GB), placed first, as compared with its recent run at Naas on the 3rd August when finishing 14th of 16 runners. Michael J. Browne reported that he was very disappointed with his charges previous run and applied cheekpieces and a tongue-strap today which had the desired effect. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes