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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Wakea gets back on track in opener

Thu 8th Sep 2016, 16:49

Wakea (Johnny Barry) clears a hurdle on the way to winning the maiden at ClonmelWakea (Johnny Barry) clears a hurdle on the way to winning the maiden at Clonmel
© Photo Healy Racing

Wakea justified odds-on favouritism when making all under amateur Johnny Barry in the Mylerstown Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Cape Cross gelding landed a similar event at Down Royal in May only to be later disqualified due to a prohibited substance.

The five-year-old gelding, a three-time winner on the all-weather when under the care of Jeremy Noseda, was far from fluent at the last but kept on well on the run-in.

The 4/9 favourite had nearly five lengths to spare over Brog Deas Nua with Rock Lobster another three and a quarter lengths adrift in third.

Winning trainer Karl Thornton said, "It is still a mystery how he had an anti-inflammatory drug in his system as he never had any cuts or issues. When the test came back positive from Newmarket, they said it would have a seven-day withdrawal period but it took three months and he only tested clear on Wednesday week.

"It has been a wasted summer but hopefully he is on the right road now and it was grand to get experience in another maiden hurdle. He'll come on a ton from the run and John (Barry) said he took a good blow. He also pulled very hard early on and he is so big, his jumping will improve."

(TW & AM)

1st
4/9Fav
Tote €1.50 €1.02
2nd
4.75L
9/1
€1.90
3rd
3.25L
4/1
€1.20
4th
3.75L
7/1
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.