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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Patience pays off for Molloy

Tue 21st Mar 2023, 14:58

 Bocelli's Voice and Michael Molloy Bocelli's Voice and Michael Molloy
© Photo Healy Racing

Bocelli's Voice stayed on stoutly to open his account in the Knocklofty Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel for in-form trainer Dermot McLoughlin. Starman was sent off a well-backed 11/8 favourite in the two-and-a-quarter mile 'unplaced' contest and soon shot into a clear lead.

He started to come back on the home-bend though and was collared before the second last by Mister Twist

That rival was soon tackled by Bocelli's Voice and Michael Molloy gained a narrow advantage on the 5/2 shot going to the last. He galloped on well in the closing stages to record a two-and-a-quarter length win.

Molloy said afterwards:- “Kevin Sexton (on Starman) was putting on an okay gallop up front. My horse didn’t necessarily handle the ground but not many did. I could see Kevin tying up at the top of the hill, so I was using Niall Moore (aboard runner-up Mister Twist) as a guide.

“My lad has picked up and done it well. He had three good runs in maidens and that was a step down today and he was entitled to do it.

“He’s my second winner. They’re hard to get on, but it’s nice to get an opportunity like that. He’s a nice horse and I think he’ll do another job, hopefully."

He added “I’m from Rathfarnham and I'm with Dermot every day and have been there a while. I’m grateful to him and the owner (Con Smyth) for giving me an opportunity because it’s the only horse the owner has with us."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

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.