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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Machine makes winning start over timber

Sun 6th Mar 2022, 15:27

Reine Machine (nearest) tackles Hollymount over the lastReine Machine (nearest) tackles Hollymount over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The Jonathan Sweeney-trained Reine Machine got off the mark at the first time of asking over hurdles with a gutsy success in the TRM Equine Nutrition Mares Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The two-and-a-half mile contest boiled down to a duel between the eventual winner and Hollymount on the run-in.

There wasn't much between the pair in the closing stages but Reine Machine found a bit more close home, for Jamie Codd, to record a half length success.

The 8/1 winner had trailed in last in a Punchestown bumper last time out but had been placed three times previously in bumpers.

“That was great, I'm delighted. I shouldn't have run her on the ground last time, her best form was on nicer ground,” said Sweeney.

“She might have been a bit unlucky not to win a bumper. She jumped for fun and she wants two-and-a-half miles or even further.

“What can I say about Jamie, he's a class act.

“I'll talk to the owners now and we'll see where we go. It's great for them because they've put a good bit of time into her. She's a nice mare to look forward to.”

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.