Casanova finally got off the mark for the team and for owners Dooley Thoroughbreds by winning the Donnellys Of Barna Rated Race under Chris Hayes at Galway yesterday. That win provided our owners their third success at the Ballybrit track this year.
Having been held up early on, the 5yo Frankel gelding took closer order arriving into the home bend before Chris pushed him out wide in the home straight where he picked up well to lead entering the final 150 yards to win readily by 3 & half lengths from the Joseph O’Brien trained River Derwent.
Speaking afterwards, jockey Chris Hayes said “It was my first time riding him and we went down early, so I presumed he can be a little keen. Ado told me to sit fourth or fifth, he slotted in behind them and he travelled at his ease. I was only waiting for a gap and I thought he quickened up quite well. He handled the ground and would get a bit further but would have to settle as well as he did today.”
