Austin and Ryan double up at Tramore

CREPELLO

 

Conditions were testing at Tramore on Tuesday week last but they did little to dampen the spirits of Willie Austin and Trevor Ryan as they combined to land a double courtesy of Red Lemonade and Highest Benefit.

It was also a red letter day for Austin as he was recording his first training double and for good measure both horses are owned and were bred by himself, and are in fact out of the same mare which makes them half brother and sister.

Trevor Ryan was also in high spirits as he was recording his second brace inside a month, he is still eligible to claim 7lbs but that will soon disappear if he maintains his current vein of form.

The Mountain High mare Red Lemonade set the ball rolling when she battled well to take the two mile 81-92 handicap hurdle.

A 10/1 chance, Red Lemonade was settled just off the pace. She arrived to throw down her challenge after the second last flight before hitting the front on the run-in to land the spoils by a head from Musical Ave.

This was a good tough display by the winner who was making her handicap debut. According to Trevor Ryan she was hanging to her left throughout the race and would be better suited by a left-handed circuit.

Highest Benefit completed the double for the trainer and rider with a smooth success in the two mile and five 78-95 handicap chase.

Never too far out of his ground, the Beneficial gelding took over on the run to the second last fence and stayed on strongly to defeat the favourite Golden Sunset by two and a quarter lengths.

A beaming Ryan reported post race that the ten-year-old did it well in the end and is very competitive in this type of race. It was also a fine training performance by Willie Austin to produce his charge fit and well after an absence of more than seven months.

 

To read more, pick up a copy of this weeks Nenagh Guardian locally or subscribe to our e-paper to access it online each Wednesday.