NOEL MEADE WAS the big winner on Day 3 of the Galway Festival as Road To Riches claimed Wednesday’s feature race — thetote.com Galway Plate.
With president Michael D Higgins and Ireland manager Martin O’Neill both present at Ballybrit, jockey Shane Shortall took the Handicap Hurdle onboard Greatness before claiming victory in the Galway Plate on the 14-1 shot seven-year-old.
Trainer Meade told goracing.ie afterwards: ”I think that was Shane’s first ride for me. Ger (Fox) would have been riding him put for breaking his collarbone, but that’s racing. We bought him off Martin Cullinane who only trains about six miles from here.
“That’s the only one of the big races (at Galway) that I haven’t won. I’ve been second in it I think three or four times. I’m absolutely thrilled as the Plate is something you want to win.”
Results on Day 3:
3:00 100,000 Euros Tote Pick6 Guarantee Maiden Hurdle
1. Most Peculiar 11/2
2. Draco 4/1
3. Tandem EvensF
3:35 Download The Tote Mobile App European Breeders Fund Mares Handicap Hurdle
1. Cacheofgold 12/1
2. Supreme Vic 6/1
3. Lilly The Lioness 9/2
4. Lost Book 20/1
4:10 40,000 Euros Tote Jackpot Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
1. Greatness 4/1F
2. Golden Ticket 5/1
3. Magical Moon 33/1
4. Diamond’s Return 50/1
4:45 Grab A Grand With Tote (Q.R.) Maiden
1. Whitey O’ Gwaun 9/10F
2. Little King Robin 7/2
3. Glasson Lad 33/1
5:30 thetote.com Galway Plate (Chase Handicap) (Grade A)
1. Road To Riches 14/1
2. Burn And Turn 16/1
3. Balnaslow 9/1
4. Spring Heeled 10/1
6:05 Tote Trifecta Rollover Handicap
1. Cairdiuil 9/1
2. Tahaf 16/1
3. Prime Exhibit 10/1
4. Truly Delightful 12/1
6:40 Bet Online At thetote.com Handicap
1. Sophie’s World 14/1
2. Spring Focus 11/2
3. Focussed 11/1
7:10 Tote Return All Profits To Irish Racing Maiden
1. Brooch 4/9F
2. Duchess Andorra 7/2
3. Columbanus 20/1