FRAN Berry reached a major career landmark when he partnered his 1,000th winner in Ireland aboard Shabra Emperor in the 50-80 rated Follow Us On Facebook Handicap.

Berry (34) produced the Anthony McCann-trained 4/1 shot with a typically well-timed challenge, passing most of the field in the final quarter mile and swooping late on the outer to pip Ducky Mallon by half a length.

“I was made aware before going to Japan over the winter that I was getting close to riding 1,000 winners in Ireland, and the last 10 days I knew I had just one to go. It’s a nice milestone to get to,” said Berry, whose first winner came on Loughmogue, trained by his father Frank, at Navan in 1996. He also nominated top sprinter Osterhase and National Stakes winner Pathfork as particular highlights. The tally includes 39 wins over jumps.

McCann said: “That was a superb ride by Fran. I never thought he was getting there but he knew what he had underneath him. He’s entered at Cork on Sunday so we’ll see how he comes out of this and have a chat with (owner) Rita Shah. It’s great to get a win with him on the turf after so long, although he’s always run well here.”

Tamadhor warmed up for the Pretty Polly Stakes later this month by landing odds of 9/10 when taking the featured seven-furlong conditions race in convincing fashion. Chris Hayes sent the Arcano filly, sixth last time in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, to the front two furlongs out and she stayed on well to beat Slipper Orchid by two lengths.

“They went no pace and it turned into a bit of a sprint from the top of the home straight,” said trainer Kevin Prendergast before adding, “she will go for the Pretty Polly if the boss (Sheikh Hamdan) agrees. That was the plan we had for her. She is pretty smart and wants a mile and a quarter. She came home well in the Guineas and wasn’t far off those good fillies.”

IRISH DERBY WEEKEND

Vitello is another on course for Irish Derby weekend at the Curragh after the evens favourite made most under Shane Foley to beat promising newcomer Now Or Never by half a length in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Michael Halford trains the daughter of Raven’s Pass for Godolphin and commented: “She had the run under her belt and was drawn well. She jumped smart and Shane said she was idling a bit in front and he just kept her up to her job. She likes the ground, is very straightforward with a good temperament and will probably go for the fillies’ Group 3 (Balanchine Stakes, June 28th) at the Curragh on Derby weekend.”

FRUSTRATING

Pat Martin had endured a somewhat frustrating season up to now with Ishebayorgrey providing the Co Meath handler with his sole success. That all changed here as the Ray Moore-owned colt initiated a near 58/1 double completed by Oceania Queen in the finale.

Colin Keane, second behind clear leader Pat Smullen in the jockeys’ championship, was seen to good effect as 7/2 favourite Ishebayorgrey got a lovely run up the rail to lead close home in the Whole Lotta Voltage @ Fairyhouse July 1st Handicap.

Martin said: “We’ve hit the crossbar a few times but it is better that they are running well and have a chance. This fellow has been a model of consistency and this is his ideal trip. The running rail makes a hell of a difference to three-year-olds. Colin said he was a bit further back than he wanted to be but he made up the ground well. He has a couple of entries (Navan and Sligo), and we’ll have to see where we go. He’s very versatile ground wise.”

Pat Smullen moved onto the 47-winner mark for the campaign as Oceania Queen made full use of getting in as second reserve in the Bobbyjo Bistro Great Value Packages Handicap. The 12/1 chance weaved her way through from off the pace and was eased down close home to beat Dancing Noretta by two lengths.

“That’s one way to keep the mother-in-law (owner Nuala Brennan) happy!” said Martin. “Oceania Queen is in foal to Frozen Power and has about another two and a half months before she has to call it quits.”

Stop And Linger, runner-up to Sir Isaac Newton at Gowran Park last time, went one better with a comfortable success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. The uneasy 2/1 favourite, trained by Jim Bolger for his wife Jackie, led a furlong out and stayed on well under Kevin Manning to beat Frozen Lake by two and three-quarter lengths.

Stable representative Ger Flynn said: “Kevin said it’s good, quick ground (officially good to firm) but there is no jar. The penny has really dropped with him now and that’s not a bad horse that beat him in Gowran. He was entitled to win his maiden.”

Pony racing sensation Jack Kennedy has made a big impression under rules in recent weeks, and the 16-year-old recorded his fifth winner as Waydownsouth (10/1) defied top-weight in the one-mile, four-furlong handicap, leading under two furlongs out to beat Brightly Shining by a length and a quarter. “Pat (Flynn, trainer) told me to try and sit fifth or sixth and that he’d hit a flat spot but that he’d keep galloping. He was spot on and the horse galloped all the way to the line.”