Irish jockey Kieran O'Neill
could not have asked for a better introduction to racing in Malaysia.
In his maiden appearance in
the country, the 27-year-old captured the RM250,000 Sports Toto Supreme
Challenge Trophy on board the Frank Maynard-trained DEVILS' CUT at Sungei
Besi here today.
DEVIL'S CUT, who started
second favourite in the seven-horse field after the scratching of two horses
on race day, came from off the pace to beat the front-running HARRYS PAL to
remain unbeaten in three starts in Malaysia for the former Singapore
galloper.
DEVIL'S CUT won four races
from nine starts at Kranji before moving to Malaysia to join trainer Frank
Maynard.
O'Neill started out as an
apprentice in his home country before honing his skill in the United States
for a year. Returning to Ireland, he was tipped as a potential champion
apprentice contender before jumping at the chance to join trainer Richard
Hannon's stables in England.
There was also good news
for Brazilian jockey Eleandro Lopes who made his debut last month. Lopes
landed his first winner in the country on BIG TSUNAMI.
The other Irish jockey to
make his debut today was James Sullivan, who managed to finish board four
times in six rides without winning.
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