LAST Sunday’s Galway Blazers’ meeting held at Dartfield, Loughrea, belonged to handler Declan Queally who sent out no less than three winners across the six-race card.

Cappagh, Co Waterford-handler Queally began his afternoon in the best possible fashion as well-supported first-timer, Olympy De Cerisy (2/1 – evens favourite), ridden by Ray Barron, routed his seven rivals in winning the opening four-year-old maiden.

A first runner and winner between the flags for his sire Brametot, in a race run at a searching pace, the €10,000 store purchase stylishly moved into the lead after two out and ultimately had little difficulty in seeing off the attentions of Rossbridge by 16 lengths.

Exciting horse

“This is an exciting horse. He’s always worked well and when we took him away to the Curragh recently, we were in no doubt, we had a nice horse. He will be sold now,” related Declan Queally jnr of Olympy De Cerisy in whom jockeys Shane Fitzgerald and Chris O’Donovan both hold an interest.

Queally jnr himself later made a winning return to action in the saddle aboard Wrong Direction (5/4) in the open lightweight.

Having partnered 228 winners between the flags until electing to turn professional in the spring of 2020, Queally looked as polished as ever as his mother Bernie’s 13-year-old Wrong Direction capitalised on the final fence error of odds-on favourite Ultimate Optimist to carry the day by two lengths and record his third triumph in points.

“We probably had a bit of luck on our side. He’s hardy though, he’d been running well on the track recently and took his chance well. We’ll find another open for him in a few weeks’ time,” outlined Queally jnr.

The 22-year-old Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford-native Dylan Phelan had earlier partnered the second winner of his career as former hurdler Knockaneleigh Girl (4/11 - 1/2 favourite) recorded a dominant victory in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden to form the middle leg of his employer Queally’s treble.

Phelan sent the hooded-daughter of Malinas to the front after the conclusion of a circuit and last season’s Fairyhouse mares’ maiden runner-up proved much the best in the latter stages when accounting for Share The Joy by a margin of 70 lengths.

“That was fairly straightforward. She’ll be entered up again in the next week or two in a winners’ race and will eventually return to the track,” stated Queally jnr. “I’m thrilled for Dylan as he’s not only a very capable rider but a huge part of the team at home.”

NEWCOMER Ridin Solo (4/1 - 6/1) obliged in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden for the reigning champion handler Colin Bowe. In quite an eventful conclusion to proceedings, both Famous Liss and Midnight Show fell independently at the third from home leaving Roe And Co to the fore only for Gearoid Doyle’s charge to be cruelly carried out by the loose Famous Liss while rounding the final bend.

Ridin Solo, the mount of Rob James, was then left clear and only needed to be kept up to his work late-on to outpoint the staying-on Scout Master by a length and a half.

“He’s a fine horse. He was plenty green with me early on and will improve from that experience. He jumped very well and seemed to enjoy the ground too,” commented James.

Bob Olinger’s half-brother Wallace Olinger (1/2 - evens favourite), the sole newcomer in the seven-runner six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden, concluded a Bowe-brace when providing Sophie Carter with her second career triumph in the saddle.

Carter, who recorded her first victory on the closing day of last season, made every post a winning one on Brian Acheson’s €88,000 2020 Derby Sale graduate, and the pair scarcely saw another rival on their way to a commanding 50-length victory over Jocks Comin Home.

“He’s taken a while to get to the track but obviously has plenty of ability along with the breeding. He’s not with us too long either and we’re learning about him the whole time,” reflected Carter.

“I’m with Colin full-time now for the last year and thankfully he’s given me loads of opportunities.”

RIDIN Solo’s jockey Rob James completed his own double in the concluding winners’ of one as La Vega Moon (5/2 - 7/2) made a successful debut for the John ‘Shark’ Hanlon yard.

Sporting the silks of Hanlon’s partner Rachel O’Neill, the Pether’s Moon gelding mastered the challenge of the front-running favourite Alvarez Eclipse before the penultimate obstacle, and with that rival parting company with James Fennell at the last fence, La Vega Moon eventually defeated Private Ryan by 12 lengths.

“Rob couldn’t believe how well he came home from the back of the second last.

“My son Paddy does a lot of work with this horse, he’ll be getting his jockey’s licence next year and I might possibly hold onto this horse for him to ride,” outlined Hanlon of his charge who claimed a Grennan maiden last May when in the care of Donnchadh Doyle.

Horse to Follow

Rossbride (R. James): Although beaten 16 lengths into second position by Olympy De Cerisy, this son of Malinas was the only opponent to lay down any sort of challenge to the eventual winner in the latter stages. This €25,000 store who hails from the family of 2009 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Go Native, shouldn’t be long in getting off the mark before embarking on a successful track career.