THE Midlands Region meeting held on Carrowniskey Strand, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo was held last Sunday in very challenging weather conditions and where stamina was at a premium for spectators and participants alike.

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny-based Joe Conlon took the riding honours as he landed a treble which included the feature race for the Finnerty stable on Waking Ned over one and three-quarter miles.

Conlan sat second before striking for home with two furlongs to run to win snugly from the Luke Bleahen-ridden See You Again. Conlan and Monasterevin handler Buddy Harrison are enjoying a fine campaign and they combined for two winners on the day.

Last Chance Paddy led from about three furlongs out to win the 10-furlong race and Conlan made all on Baile Mhic Andain to win the mile race in impressive fashion.

Templepatrick, Co. Down rider Sam Ewing, who kicked off his pony racing days with a double back in June, added another to his tally and his first in open horse class as he teamed-up with the Finnerty stable to take the 12-furlong race on Mr. Grey.

Ewing came through to lead two furlongs out from The Ferryman, who took second, denying Joe Conlon a four-timer. Ben Coen has been making more frequent trips to the midlands rather than the south and he was rewarded with a winner in the 15hh race where he teamed up with Treasure Beach for midlands chairperson Priscilla McNamara.

Coen sat fourth early on and waited as long as possible before coming through to lead inside the distance to win from the Ben Bleahen-ridden Tiny Tim.

Ben added another winner as he took the local pony race on Galahad for Danny O’Malley, and the local horse race went to Kevin Reidy on his own Colins Mickey Gavin.

15HH Race (10F): 1, P. McNamara’s TREASURE BEACH (Ben Coen); 2, Going Broke Syndicate’s TINY TIM (Ben Bleahen); 3, B. Harrison’s MR. BUD (Joe Conlon).

Open Horse Race (1M6F Feature Race): 1, Finnerty Family’s WAKING NED (Joe Conlon); 2, Going Broke Syndicate’s SEE YOU AGAIN (Luke Bleahen); 3, L. McCarthy’s THE RUSSIAN (Tadgh McGuinness).

Open Horse Race (12F): 1, Finnerty Family’s MR. GREY (Sam Ewing); 2, M. Page’s THE FERRYMAN (Joe Conlon); 3, A. Gallagher’s MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS (Oliver Stammers).

Open Horse Race (10F):1, B. Harrison’s LAST CHANCE PADDY (Joe Conlon); 2, S. Lohan’s DANCING IN THE DARK (Ben Coen); 3, T. McCarthy’s STARMAN (Luke Bleahen).

Open Horse Race (1M): 1, B. Harrison’s BAILE MHIC ADAIN (Joe Conlon); 2, P.J Donnelly’s KEEPER HILL (Peter Smithers); 3, D. McNamara’s OSAKA (Ben Coen).

Local Pony Race (6F): 1, Danny O’ Malley’s GALAHAD (Ben Coen); 2, Ciara Nevins’s FEENONE GREY (C. Nevin); 3, Helena Kelly’s MENLO PENNY (H. Kelly).

Local Horse Race (1M): 1, Kevin Reidy’s COLINS MICKEY GAVIN (Kevin Reidy); 2, A. Fadden’s AMBER (A. Fadden); 3, Ciara Nevins’ DUSTY (C. Nevin).