Racing Leopardstown reportIt might have been a low-key midweek fixture but last night's Leopardstown meeting will always live in Edward Harty's memory after Misty Mountain provided him with a first success as a trainer.
Harty is a son of the Grand National winning rider, Eddie, and a brother of Godolphin's US trainer, Eoin, and took out a licence to train on the Curragh last March.
Misty Mountain is part of a 10-strong string and she showed the rest of them how to do it with a length and a half defeat of Diaconate in the mile maiden under Seamus Heffernan.
"Not only is she the first but she is also home-bred so it is doubly important. You can't ask for more than this," said Harty.
"We will try and get some black type with her but really she has done her job."
Misty Mountain's task was helped by the bad luck of the odds-on favourite Absolutely Cool who was twice stopped in the straight as she tried to secure a run off the rail.
Pat Smullen had better fortune in the following three-runner fillies race as Out Of Thanks comprehensively reversed juvenile form with the other joint-favourite Haratila.
"She has improved and she will go for a Listed race next. She should also get a mile and a half," said trainer Dermot Weld.
"I think you will find that was a decent contest," added the Rosewell House trainer.
The Leopardstown authorities also had black type on their minds with the announcment that the newly promoted Group One race, the Matron Stakes, to be run on Champion Stakes day, will be sponsored by Coolmore Stud.
The race, won last year by Favourable Terms, will be known as the Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes.
Fran Berry's recent good run continued with Mutradek who picked up the Rocwood Handicap in a blanket finish for trainer Eoin Griffin.
"He won on firm ground the first time he tried it but didn't like it the next time. He liked the give in the ground here and should stay further," Griffin said.
Heffernan went on to land a double on the Peter Casey-trained Valentina Guest in the Sandyford Handicap.
