RACING: A waterlogged racecourse yesterday denied the Curragh its opportunity to say thank you to their customers by providing free admission for the last meeting of the season. They refused to accept it as the final word and postponed it to this afternoon when prospects do look a good deal better.
As we are finished with Group races the card lacks a feature race but the continuing duel between Johnny Murtagh and Michael Kinane - currently 74-72 in favour of Murtagh - will more than compensate and in pedigree terms there are some exciting newcomers.
It could be a tit-for-tat day with the reportedly well galloped Alberto Giacometti winning the Classic Hospitality Maiden in the hands of Kinane and then Murtagh re-establishing his two-winner advantage half an hour later with Lady Clague's Canoun in the Go Racing in Kildare Annual Badge Maiden.
The Kinane ride that could be the major talking point is Detach in the Annual Membership Handicap for Murtagh will be sitting this race out even though he won on Detach at Leopardstown in July. The late developing sprinter Step Back, who won five times last year, takes on Detach after being second to Musical World at Cork.
Meanwhile, Damien Oliver confirmed yesterday he will ride Media Puzzle in the Melbourne Cup despite the death of his older brother, Jason, on Tuesday from severe head injuries suffered in a fall from a two-year-old.
Mark Weld, whose father Dermot trains the highly-fancied pair Vinnie Roe and Media Puzzle for next Tuesday's big handicap, said yesterday he was delighted with the decision. "Naturally it is a huge boost to our chances to have Damien ride," Weld said.
"We fully support him at this difficult time. He was always Damien's horse to ride and having already won the Geelong Cup, maybe he can win the Melbourne Cup," Weld added.
Mouse Morris yesterday revealed that Boss Doyle will attempt the hat-trick in Saturday's John Smith's Hurdle at Wetherby.
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