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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Halford and Collins up and running with Cosmic Vega

Sun 21st May 2023, 15:54

Cosmic Vega, far side, wins a driving finishCosmic Vega, far side, wins a driving finish
© Photo Healy Racing

Cosmic Vega sprang a 14/1 surprise in the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas to seal the alliance between trainers Mick Halford and Tracey Collins.

The duo have joined forces this season and this was the first success under the joint licence.

Cosmic Vega tracked American Kestrel at the halfway stage of this seven-furlong assignment and took a narrow lead at the two pole.

He was ridden by Ronan Whelan to try and go for home over a furlong out, but the pair had plenty of horses within striking distance.

Cosmic Vega kept finding along the rail and, although strongly pressed in the closing stages by Sharlouk (6/1), held on by a diminishing short head. New Energy the 5/2 favourite, picked up late and ran on for third.

“He was all heart and he got a brilliant ride, Ronan is riding out of his skin,” said Halford.

“I'm thrilled for myself and Tracey, it's a great start. We've had to be patient.

“I had to walk the track before I decided to run him or not. It was a close call, but thankfully the owners said that they'd go with my decision. For once we got it right.

“In fairness to Naas, they've done a wonderful job and the ground was beautiful today with a great covering of grass.

“His best form is probably on a turn with a dig in the ground, so I'd be thinking about the Listed race in Killarney for him. I'm not sure about the hustle bustle of Ascot for him.

“Ronan is a very underestimated rider - I don't think any more, though. He's a world-class jockey and just needs the opportunities as he's proved with Skitter Skatter and a few other horses. He rode a great race for Jessie (Harrington) during the week in York.

“We're delighted to have him, he's a big part of our team and he's a big team player."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
14/1
Tote €15.90 €3.40
2nd
shd
6/1
€2.10
3rd
1.5L
5/2Fav
€1.50
4th
nose
9/2
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.