MICHAEL Halford had another good night at Dundalk last Friday when teaming up with Ronan Whelan to register a treble at the all-weather venue.
The pair were quick off the mark and registered a big price winner to open proceedings when Sampers Seven sprang a 25/1 shock in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Anjaal filly, owned by HRI Chairman Nicky Hartery, was prominent throughout in the five-furlong contest and led narrowly inside the final 100 yards for a short-head victory over Big Gossey.
“She’s always shown a lot of pace. First time out she just did too much. Last time she got in behind and got dragged backed early in the race. She had a nice draw today and she’s been learning with each run,” said Halford afterwards.
It was only half an hour before they struck again when the Carol Roper-owned Arcanears emerged on top after a tight finish to the BetVictor Handicap over the same sprint trip.
The 3/1 favourite came with a powerful run inside the final furlong to record a half-length success over Enough Said.
“I’m delighted for Carol, she’s been a great owner for us over all the years. She’s so patient and the horses mean so much to her,” said the winning trainer.
The treble was completed later on the card when Spelga struck in the colours of Paul Rooney in the second division of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.The 5/2 joint-favourite was also produced with a late surge by Whelan to get the better of Magi Gal by half a length in the closing stages of the 10-furlong contest.
“Ronan gave him a lovely ride, he stayed nice and cool on him and the gaps just appeared in time,” was Halford’s assessment after the race.
ANOTHER trainer to have a good night under the lights was Stamullen-based handler John McConnell who sent out a brace on the card.
Rockview Roman looked a progressive sort when landing the first division of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap under Wayne Lordan.
The 9/4 favourite led over a furlong from home to post a convincing length-and-a-half win.
An enthusiastic Let’s Get Lucky Racing Club welcomed the winner with Lordan saying: “If he can get another few I think the lads will be fairly happy as they are enjoying it.”
Bellick, in the colours of the Rockview Racing Club, struck in the finale to complete the double.
The 6/1 shot responded well for Kevin Manning when holding on close home to deny Pillar by a head in the six-furlong Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap.
A DECENT field lined up for the Winter Series At Dundalk 2020 Handicap and Charcor backed up a good recent run at the venue to land the spoils.
Shane Foley drove his mount into the lead over a furlong from home and Jessica Harrington’s charge stayed on well to beat Sky Seven by a length in the 10-furlong contest.
The 11/2 winner had been third in the competitive ‘Red God’ handicap on his previous visit to the track for owner John O’Hagan.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Grandmaster Flash gained an overdue win in the Lengthen The Odds With Betvictor Maiden when staying on stoutly to land the mile-and-a-half contest in the colours of LECH Racing Limited.
Declan McDonogh was at work turning for home on the 6/4 favourite but his stamina kicked in inside the final furlong as he got up to beat Elizabeth Way by half a length.
Point Reyes started to pay back her purchase price of £280,000 when getting her head in front for the first time in the mile nursery.
Gavin Cromwell’s charge, sent off a 9/1 shot, was produced to lead inside the final furlong by Conor Maxwell and went on to score by a length in the colours of Lindsay Laroche, also worn by the stable’s Group 2 winner Princess Yaiza.