Yes it turned out to be a beautiful day at Tramore yesterday afternoon and what a turnout, packed to capacity and the ladies put on a fashion show, with all the colours of the rainbow, stunning it was. Fran Barry was certainly in form, booting home two winners. His first was in the second race on the card – The Waterford Senior Hurlers handicap – of a mile and a half. He got the leg up on the John Oxx trained Pointed Arch who was installed the 7/2 favourite.
Berry now has fifty six winners so far was seen at his best when bringing this filly from a long way off the pace, to collar Weybridge Light inside the final furlong and so on to pass the post with three lengths in hand. He was returned a 3/1.
Berry completed his double aboard the Michael Grassick trained Dalaval in the Graun Hill Maiden of a mile and a half, but had to work hard on this fellow who wasn’t too anxious to go on, but eventually got him going, but then dived left inside the final furlong, eventually holding on for a two lengths win. He was returned the 15/8 favourite.
The Snowcream fresh milk handicap of a mile and a half went to the Jarlath P. Foley trained Her Courtesy who got a smashing ride from five pound claimer Michael Cleere, who dashed him into the lead from the tapes and made every post a winning one, although challenged inside the final furlong by Compton Court, stayed on strongly to hit the line with two lengths to spare. He was returned at 4/1.
Fourth on the card was the Green Hill Maiden over a mile and a half. Berry completed his double in this race when bringing home the Pat O’Kelly owned Dalaval trained by Michael Grassick. Berry had to work hard on this fellow who wasn’t too anxious to go and jinked left inside the final furlong but held on for a two length win. He was returned the 15/8 favourite. Diamond Star was second with Chew It Over in third place.
Fifth on the card was the Star Sunday Amen Magazine Handicap Chase, over two miles. Bottom weight Jamies Choice galloped into the lead from the tapes, tactics which he adopted at Ballinrobe on Monday last, which proved successful, was again successful here when leading from the front to come home a four length winner. He was returned 9/4 joint favourite.
The Sporting Press Maiden hurdle was next on the card, this was a two mile trip. Ruby had to be content with second on the well-backed Liberty Love which is trained by Johanna Morgan. Installed the 11/8 favourite was no match for the David Marnane trained Hampstead Heath, who was returned at 3/1 and won by a cosy one and a half lengths.
Last on the card was The Waterford and Tramore Supporters Handicap Hurdle of two miles. Some punters went home happy after the 5/4 favourite Hu Ha Jo obliged here. This fellow was following up a win which he had at Wexford recently carrying a 6lb. penalty. Congratulations to trainer Caroline Hutchinson.