RACING/ NAAS PREVIEW: Naas is one of just four racetracks in Ireland to have its own set of starting stalls and that situation is unlikely to change for the forseeable future according to the Turf Club.
The withdrawal of the new Italian-style mobile gates has thrown the stalls issue into the limelight with more than one call for each racecourse to have its own equipment.
However, that idea was described as "unrealistic" by a Turf Club representative yesterday.
"I don't think it is realistic, certainly not in the short term," said the Turf Club spokesman, Seán Barry. "The differences in the tracks, and the contours of some of them, make things difficult. Moving these heavy objects around on some of the smaller racecourses would be almost impossible."
The old-style New Zealand stalls, which have also not been without their critics, are back in commission, with extensive mechanical and electrical tests set to begin on their supposed replacements.
No possible return date for the new stalls was being given yesterday.
"They are being independently tested as a matter of urgency and we are waiting for the reports back. As soon as we get those we will be able to kick on," said a Horse Racing Ireland spokesman.
Meanwhile, back on the track, it's fair to say that the interestingly titled Madra Dog Food Race was not on Grand Reward's agenda at the start of the season but Aidan O'Brien's colt can at least secure a second career success this evening.
The ultimate outcome of the Storm Cat colt's seven starts to date can only be described as disappointing.
The strapping brother to the Group One winner Sophisticat was long touted as a classic hope in 2003 but has failed whenever the expectation has been highest and last time Grand Reward trailed in last behind Kheleyef in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The ground was extremely fast that day and while, in theory, that should have favoured Grand Reward it could be that the forecasted "good" going today will be more in his favour.
Even more in Grand Reward's favour is the opposition, which includes the 104-rated Mombassa and Dermot Weld's Oversighted but it will be disappointing if Grand Reward can't stir himself enough to win out.
Aidan O'Brien has used Naas to unveil some high-class names, including Giants Causeway in the past, and his Fusaichi Pegasus newcomer, Trueheart, will be watched keenly by many in the juvenile maiden.
Michael Kinane has teamed up with Dessie Hughes to some effect in recent times and he looks a significant booking for Due Respect in the six-furlong handicap.
Due Respect is 9lbs higher for winning by a length and a half over seven furlongs on the middle day of the Curragh festival but the drop back in distance should not be a problem.
Kinane is on Rajayla in the mile-and-a-half handicap and while this one only held on by half a length from Eye Candy in her maiden at Roscommon, she did stay on as if this evening's distance would be ideal.
