Delight For McSweeney

You will never forget riding, training or owning your first winner. Oisin McSweeney had that pleasure this season but it wasn’t for the team at Hambleton Lodge. Although he had gone on and doubled his tally the first win for his boss Kevin had to wait. Thankfully it arrived at Southwell as he steered Stars In The Night to complete a hat-trick of wins in the 5f Rolleston Revival Village Event Handicap. 

Having racked up a pair of wins in comfortable fashion, connections decided to strike while the iron was still hot. Stars In The Night had seen her mark rise which meant she would only be carrying a 5lb penalty and would technically be well in with a future rise coming in. It meant that Kevin turned to Oisin McSweeney to utilise the apprentice’s claim, 7lbs which he is well worth. 

There was only a small field that confirmed to run with 6 lining up against Stars In The Night. The filly brought the best form to the race but there was a query as to how far could she continue to escape the handicapper or would 3 runs in 12 days take its toll. That being said she was favourite for the contest, going off at 10/11 and if she ran to form Stars In The Night would be seriously hard to beat. 

Stars In The Night wasn’t the best away of the 7 runners as there was immediately a dash to the front. There were four in a line setting a strong gallop up as Stars In The Night chased them along on the far side. Oisin sat quietly and let his filly find her stride, which she did and quickly latched on to the pace setters. 

There was no hanging around and the runners blitzed through the first couple of furlongs. Stars In The Night had made it a quintet to the fore as she had moved through to force the issue. Showing plenty of zest she had moved along n the far side to pressure those around her and Oisin left her alone, not wanting to knock her rhythm. 

By the 2f marker the rest of her rivals were of the bridle as Stars In The Night cruised through to take the lead. Oisin waited as he was taken along in front and the pair edged into a length advantage. He began to nudge the filly along with only daylight in front of them and the lead increased slightly the further they went. 

Moving into the final furlong it was time to go and with a clear lead it seemed that Stars In The Night had the race at her mercy. The contenders were spread across the track which didn’t make it easy for any of them but the lead lay with Stars In The Night. It was all hands and heels so far from Oisin as his mount had taken him to this point but with the final 150 yards to run there was a late flourish beginning to loom. It was the first time that Oisin had to get serious as he asked for one final push. Stars In The Night stuck her head down and continued to drive for the line but was seeing her lead eaten away. The work she had put in earlier paid off as the lead proved too big to close in time with the runner up running out of time. Stars In The Night crossed the line with a 3/4 length advantage and completed the hat-trick of wins. 

Stars In The Night has really bounced back to form this year and thrived in the last couple of weeks. It was the right idea to try and keep ahead of the handicapper but the only way that was possible was due to the filly showing a great attitude. She has had a hard 12 days with 3 runs but she has continued to do everything asked of her. Always travelling well in this contest it was tough for her with very little help and the recent performances may have just started to show in the final 1/2 furlong. Stars In The Night has earned a well deserved break now and will be let down before coming back and wiping at some higher grade sprints. There is no reason why she cannot continue this fantastic run of form in the future.