THE AUSTRALIAN team got off to a flying start in the Australian/Irish jockeys Challenge at Roscommon yesterday when filling the first two places in the designated Lustre Handicap Hurdle.
Tarajan, well ridden by Tom Hazlett, returned to his best form to beat I Remember It Well and Frankie Stockdale, thereby earning nine points for the Aussies in the five race series which continues tomorrow at Navan followed by Tipperary on Thursday and Downpatrick on Friday. Major Jamie, who finished third under the Irish team captain, Charlie Swan, collected two points.
The Paddy Prendergast trained winner, who lost ground at the start at Thurles on Thursday, was always travelling sweetly and tackling I Remember It Well at the last flight, drew clear to win by three and a half lengths. "The track and ground suited him. He was going to win from a long way out," said his 26 year old rider, a top freelance based just outside Adelaide and four times South Australian champion. He intends to spend some time with trainer Austin Leahy before returning home.
Dance Beat never put a foot wrong in winning the Kilbegnet Novice Chase by six lengths having taken up the running from the more experienced Stroll Home before the final bend. Having won over fences first time of asking at Tipperary recently Jessica Harrington's charge appears to enjoy chasing and it is a bonus that she acts on any going. She will be kept to two mile chasing but there is a possibility that she will revert to hurdles in an attempt to win the Ladbroke for the second year running.
The Jim Bolger trained Missigoni led well inside the final furlong to win the Ballinloogh Maiden. His rider Kevin Manning, with 68 winners, is just two adrift of the current champion John Murtagh who boosted his tally to 70 when winning the Fairymount Maiden on Major Crisis. Ten times champion Michael Kinane is on 63.
All appears set for a pulsating finish to this year's championship but the odds marginally favour Manning as Murtagh and Kinane are due to leave for Hong Kong at the end of this month leaving eight chances for Manning before the season ends on November 10th. Murtagh departs on October 29th for a one month freelance stint.
Onyourown, who had some good handicap form, justified strong support when winning the Crosswell Handicap by a length and a half. Owned by the Cill Dara Syndicate and ridden by Christy Roche the Paddy Burke trained winner was bred by Roche's wife, Noeleen.
Mark Dwyer landed the Michael Cunningham trained Caitriona's Choice who was the emphatic winner of the Irish NH Novice Hurdle. Caitriona's Choice, who is named after the late Seamus MacCrosain's daughter and is owned by his widow Claire, was well suited by the ease in going.
