Hint of a Tint proves Topaz jewel for David Wachman

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Hint Of A Tint gave trainer David Wachman another big-race winner with victory in the Topaz Mile Handicap at Galway.

The main event on the second evening of the Festival at Ballybrit saw another brave bid by British raider Baraweez, with Brian Ellison’s raider making his move rounding the turn in a bid to better last year’s third.

Donnacha O’Brien looked like he might have made a race-winning move, but he could not quite shake off Hint Of A Tint (6-1) and Wayne Lordan, who improved on her sixth place from 12 months ago to win by half a length. Unsinkable was third.

Wachman said: “The strong gallop suited. They stopped in front of her and she battled well at the line. It’s a shame that Fran (Berry) couldn’t ride her, but the weight is a bit low for him and Wayne gave her a good ride.

“She’s best fresh so we took a chance at the start of the season and said we’d aim her at this. It was a good performance.

“She was second in a Guineas Trial so is Group Three-placed, but she lost her way a bit. I’ll see what the owner wants to do, but it’s possible that she could go back into Pattern company.”

Lordan said: “She travelled around nicely, picked up well and won well. She had good runs in the book and it was just a matter of getting everything right – Galway isn’t an easy place – but luckily for me she travelled well.

“When a horse is travelling like she was you can fit into any gap that comes in front of you. It’s when they’re not travelling, that’s when you land yourself in trouble. Luckily for me she travelled well and I was able to weave through a few horses and get there pretty easily.

“Just coming to the line she was just having a little puff and she was entitled to, having her first run of the year in a very competitive handicap

“It’s nice to win a feature race here in Galway – I’ve never won it before so it’s nice.”

Hint Of A Tint is owned by Sue-Ann Foley, daughter of JP McManus.

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