18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

McBratney gets winner with his 'new boy'

Fri 6th Jun 2014, 21:32

Sarabad, near side, hunts down Wicklow Gold in DownpatrickSarabad, near side, hunts down Wicklow Gold in Downpatrick
© Photo Healy Racing

Sarabad on his second run for local trainer Colin McBratney, took the spoils in the two mile seven beginners’ chase in Downpatrick at 7/1 with Ben Dalton in the saddle.

The ex-Willie Mullins trained gelding powered up the steep finish to nail 7/4 favourite Wicklow Gold (trained by Mullins) by a head.

Colin McBratney said: “Willie (Mullins) gave me him through Harold Kirk. He had a wind operation and we cauterised his palate. He had a nice run in Fairyhouse and he improved out of it. We knew he would stay. Ben gave him a good ride. We’ll look for a wee novice for him maybe in Perth in July. He could drop back to two miles as he has plenty of pace.”

One of the owners James Marley added: “We lost one of the owners – Connor McGurk – a couple of months ago. It was him that sucked me into this horse. Denis Kelly came on board as well. We are all from Belfast.”

The Stewards interviewed P. Townend, rider of Wicklow Gold, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that P. Townend was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using the whip with excessive force and frequency and R10(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond. The Stewards suspended P. Townend for 2 race days having taken his good previous record into consideration. In reaching their decision the Stewards gave P. Townend the benefit of the doubt for the one hit with the whip after passing the winning post.

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.