Bellewstown jockey Robert Whearty has his sights firmly set on the apprentice championship after reaching the landmark 95-winner mark at Listowel on Monday.
His milestone success came on Gavin Cromwell’s Flying Fortress in the eight-furlong handicap, the 11/2 chance storming home inside the final furlong to beat Joseph O’Brien’s Annie’s Angel by half a length. Whearty and Cromwell quickly doubled up when 16/1 shot Secret Force edged out Bridezilla by a nose in the 11-furlong handicap. That win marked Whearty’s 21st of the season, giving him a one-winner lead over Wayne Hassett in the apprentice title race.
Elsewhere at Listowel, Wesley Joyce moved onto 18 winners for the season when steering Michael Mulvany’s Sunriseontheboyne to an impressive five-length victory in Tuesday’s mile handicap.
John McConnell also struck at the Kerry track with Cloonainra, who landed Wednesday’s mares’ novice chase, and Cheltenham Festival bumper runner-up Heads Up, who returned to win Thursday’s auction maiden hurdle under Mark McDonagh.
Gordon Elliott and Josh Williamson teamed up for success on Friday as Casheldale Lad took the Listed two-mile handicap hurdle, while Ben Coen bagged a Dundalk double on Best Suggestion for Andy Oliver and Punk Poet for Edward Lynam.
At the Curragh, Jim Bolger’s Mumhan opened Saturday’s card with a maiden success, while Rowdy Yeats gave Noel Meade and Colin Keane victory in the seven-furlong rated race. On Sunday, Gavin Cromwell and Gary Carroll teamed up with Invincible Will to take the seven-furlong nursery handicap by a neck.
Upcoming local fixtures include Bellewstown’s autumn meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, October 1–2.
