Rodney Bay (No.11) gets up to deny Ellaat© Photo Healy Racing
Rodney Bay got up in the final stride of the concluding Racing Again On 27th May Handicap (Division 2) to deny a massive gamble on Ellaat at Limerick.
The Noel Kelly-trained Ellaat was backed down at all rates from 50/1 going off the 5/2 favourite and the huge punt looked like being landed for much of the mile and three furlongs event.
Gavin Ryan’s mount was prominent throughout and, having been sent to the front over a furlong out, looked set to collect.
However, Joe Doyle conjured an explosive late surge from the Joe Murray-trained Rodney Bay and the easy-to-back 9/1 chance just got up on the line.
The pair finished two and a quarter lengths clear of Legal Thriller in third, while the veteran Park Row completed the places in fourth.
Rodney Bay was previously just denied by Sense Of Worth (won again since) on the Polytrack at Dundalk a fortnight ago.
Lisa Sheridan, winning owner and also wife of trainer Joe Murray, said: "It is brilliant to get it and he was weak but we have taken our time with him.
"He has improved a lot and while it was disappointing to get the hike, the handicapper was right and it was nice to be the right side of the photo-finish today.
"He is still learning and is green but got his nose up. We'll see what the handicapper does now and hopefully he can pick up another one before the end of the summer."
(TW & AM)
