Insinuendo battles best in the Blue Wind as 'ballsy' call pays off

It is lucky Willie McCreery entered the training ranks with more ambition than money, and the trainer was once again rewarded for taking on the odds in the Blue Wind Stakes with Insinuendo.

McCreery’s story could inspire trainers who are in a similar boat as he entered the game with nothing more than a few low-grade handicappers and €10,000 in his back pocket to support the vision.

He has come a long way in the 13 years he has been training, but hasn’t lost that competitive edge, or, as the man himself described it after watching Insinuendo fend off Thunder Kiss under Declan McDonogh: "ballsiness".

Indeed, it took great nerve to run Insinuendo in a Group 3 on just her third start, but she came up trumps by running out an impressive winner, and now the four-year-old could have some lofty targets.

McCreery said: “I have to thank Michael Deegan [owner] as I wanted to run her on Wednesday at Gowran but he thought this might cut up a bit and Group 3 placing would be better than Listed, with regards to her pedigree.”

The winning connections of Insinuendo, who was making just her third career startCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“Michael is a good owner to have and a ballsy owner which is what you want. He said no harm done if things don’t work out.

“She ran a cracking race at Tipperary over a distance shorter than she needed but I ran her there to get more experience. I was worried that she might not settle but there was plenty of pace on which suited.”

Insinuendo does not have any fancy entries but that looks likely to change now.

McCreery explained: “Declan said she loved that ground and she fought hard. The plan was to get her black type and we have that now. She’s a big tall filly and I wanted to take my time with her so we’ll have a look at the programme and make a plan.”

Lordan lands treble

Jockey Wayne Lordan was in good form, booting home a 150-1 treble. Two of those successes were recorded for Aidan O'Brien while the final leg of the treble, Half Nutz, was labelled as "badly needed" by his trainer Sheila Lavery.

“His last few runs he has travelled like a good thing but just hasn’t finished it out,” Lavery said, after watching her charge run out a half-length winner of the 6f handicap. “I feel sorry for Robbie [Colgan] who was banned but Wayne is just a brilliant substitute to have.

"I told him to bury him and ride him for luck because I think the horse is thinking a bit too much and is trying to go too fast and Wayne agreed. That was badly needed.”

Sheila Levery (right) with Half Nutz after his victory in the 6f handicapCredit: Patrick McCann

Lordan took the opening two-year-old maiden aboard King Of Bavaria and the 7f fillies' maiden aboard Montego Bay for O'Brien.

On King Of Bavaria, Lordan said: "He showed a little bit of greenness in the last furlong but I thought he got to the line well. He's a nice big colt."

He added on Montego Bay: "I was able to get a nice position and she settled well. She quickened up and went to the line well. I think that’s in and around her trip.”

Results, replays and analysis

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