Conor O’Ceirin takes Riccarton feature
Kevin Robertson • June 21st, 2025 4:35 PM • 3 min read
Topweight Conor O’Ceirin enjoyed the 3kg claim of apprentice Liam Kauri, which allowed him to carry a manageable 58kg to a solid victory in the feature event at Riccarton on Saturday, the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1400m).
The eight-year-old son of Dial A Prayer had earned his original 61kg handicap with nine career victories on the board along with two placings at stakes level, including running third in the 2023 Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at the venue.
After doing his early racing from Robbie Patterson’s New Plymouth stable, the versatile galloper has now had four starts for local trainer Anna Furlong, winning his first for her back in March before going on to finish fourth in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) in late April.
Furlong turned him out looking a picture on Saturday and he lived up to those looks with a gritty performance that saw him sit wide early on before slotting one out and one back with 700m to run.
Kauri took his mount to the outside fence rounding the home bend and briefly conceded a lead to Albatross, who had snuck through to take over at the 400m.
Conor O’Ceirin and Albatross set down to a torrid battle that went right to the wire and finished in favour of the Furlong runner by just a long head.
Kauri was rapt to get the victory after having plenty of doubts heading around to the start.
“He is an awesome old boy and thanks to Anna for giving me the ride,” Kauri said. “It is the first time I have ever met her, so it’s awesome she trusted me with him.
“They must have gone a bit quick for this ground as he settled beautifully. I was worried going to the start as he bolted on me and I’m sure that was what Anna was thinking too!
“He was beautiful in the running and he ran on well. I’ve been going through a rough patch, but this has fixed it.”
Furlong noted some gear changes had helped her charge out along with a change of scenery.
“He was with Robbie, who has been great at giving us horses,” she said. “He thought this guy might like a change of scenery and it has worked brilliantly so far. We took the blinkers off to try and help him settle a little, which also seems to have worked.
“I think he has put his hand up for another shot at the Winter Cup, so that is where we will most likely head.”
The Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) is the feature flat event on the first day of the Riccarton Winter Carnival that kicks off on 2 August.
Bred and raced by the Keenan Family Trust, Conor O’Ceirin made it 10 wins from 45 starts and has now earned over $267,000 for his connections.
