SEAMIE Heffernan was the man to follow at Dundalk last Friday night as he bagged a 675/1 treble on the card.

His first success came in the opener when he teamed up with Kevin Coleman aboard the strongly supported 4/6 shot Catherine Of Siena.

The U S Navy Flag filly had opened her account over six at the track last month and made all, dropping back to the minimum trip, to record a length win over Maggie McGrath.

“We won this race with Queens Carriage two years ago. We thought this one was more of a miler, she wouldn’t have the same speed as her but she has a bit of class,” said Coleman of the Atomic Racing-owned filly.

“I don’t know how good that race will end up but we always thought she was an 80-90 filly and Seamie did too.

“She loves that surface, she’s genuine so what more can you ask. She has enough done now, she has two nice pots won.”

Shock

Denis Cullen provided Heffernan with his second success when newcomer Charlisse sprang an 80/1 shock in the William Hill Maiden over seven furlongs.

Bold Ribb went to post a 1/4 shot but he was no match for the daughter of Camacho, who led over a furlong out and held the hotpot by half a length.

“We’re delighted, we always thought a bit of her at home. Her homework was very good and it was just a matter of things falling right for us on the night,” said Cullen.

“Seamie gave her a great ride and I’m delighted he took the ride on her.

“We’ll see what happens now, I own a half share with Vanessa Teehan so we’ll have a chat and maybe she’ll be sold after that.”

The 674/1 treble was completed in the last race when Sand Castle landed a serious gamble in the mile-and-a-half handicap.

Punted

Adrian Murray’s charge was a 33/1 in the morning but was punted into 4/1 joint favourite.

Heffernan let his mount hit the front soon after halfway and he stayed on stoutly down the straight to beat Princess Wannabe by three-parts of a length.

Murray, who trains the Morpheus gelding for Anthony McLoughlin, said afterwards:

“He goes well here. It took me a long time to get him fit, I gave him a break last spring and I was the whole summer trying to get him fit.

“He was bouncing coming today and I couldn’t have been happier with him.

“I think he’s more of a summer horse and he could mix it on the flat and over hurdles.”

McKenna lands nice pot with Ampeson

PAT McKenna was delighted to see Ampeson beat a good field in the William Hill Handicap over six furlongs.

The race was run at a strong pace with Rough Diamond and Dream Today duelling up front and 13/2 shot Ampeson stayed on well late on having been ridden along at half-way.

Jack Kearney got his mount to the front inside the final furlong as he recorded a three-quarter-length win over Ivasecret in the €22,000 contest.

McKenna said: “He always runs well but is probably at the top of his game at the moment. It was a very hot race and it’s a good result for us.

“I thought he was a bit lost in the middle of it but he picked up and to be fair he won well at the line.

“He’ll go up a couple of pounds for that but at least he’s competing in those high level races, that’s where we want him and it’s a bit of a change for us from 47-65 races!”

In the other six-furlong handicap, the in-form Inishmot Prince struck again for Tom McCourt and owner/breeder Oliver Curtis.

The Elzaam gelding got on top in the closing stages, under James Ryan, to beat Little Queenie by a neck.

“It’s hard to get five in a year with a horse like that so it’s great and great for Olly as well. He’s a long-time patron and deserves every bit of success. He bred him and the dam is in foal again to Elzaam,” said McCourt.

Fine year

Natalia Lupini made it 14 winners for the calendar year when Dynamite Katie held on gamely, under Dylan Browne McMonagle, to secure the Irish EBF Median Sire Series Fillies Maiden on the card.

The Kessaar filly made all in the seven-furlong contest and the 12/1 shot (50/1 in the morning) had enough up her sleeve late on to hold Brasilian Princess by a short-head at the line.

It was a significant step up from her debut run and the winning trainer explained: “When she ran here the last time she was a bit too keen and a little slow out of the stalls.

“Today we tried to make use of her. Dylan thinks maybe a drop back to six furlongs would suit her well.

“She might be on the market, we’ll talk to the owner (Eoin McDonagh) obviously and see what the plan is for her.”

Leclerc continues flying start for new owners

LECLERC made it two wins from three runs since being bought by Conor Brady when claiming the second division of the apprentice handicap.

The Ado McGuinness-trained 7/4 favourite was delivered late by Adam Caffrey to get up and beat Jazzy Dancer in the seven-furlong contest.

“The rider was good on him, I was starting to curse him up in the stands early in the straight but fair play to him he was cool and didn’t panic,” said McGuinness.

“He’s probably a horse that could win again. We’ll probably wait with him now until after Christmas, I’ll see what the handicapper does with him on Monday and make a decision. Conor is a local fella, he lives up the road in Cooley.”

The first division saw course regular Bellick gained a deserved win having been placed on four of his previous five runs.

Siobhan Rutledge led after a couple of furlongs on the seven-year-old and he stuck on gamely in the closing stages to beat Lion Ring by three-parts of a length.

Rutledge, in the colours of Rockview Stables, said: “He’s very consistent, he’s a fun horse for connections.

“He’s a yard stalwart at home, he’s the quietest horse and anyone can ride him. He’s been hitting the crossbar and I’m delighted that he’s got a goal!”