Hurdles bound Dolce gains a deserved win

Fourth in the 2013 Racing Post Trophy, Dolce N Karama got off the mark on start number thirteen when landing the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Rated Race.

On his first go on Dundalk's polytrack, the home-bred Thistle Bloodstock Limited-owned three-year-old made all under Luke Dempsey.

Dempsey had combined successfully with the same owner, and successful trainer Pat Shanahan, here last Friday night with Split The Atom, and he kept Dolce N Karama going well to ward off the danger posed by Akasaka There was a length and a half between them at the line.

Well-backed favourite Camakasi lived up to his name somewhat by completing missing the break.

He was soon back in touch with the field but he'd have to be forgiven his finishing effort which saw him claim fourth in the five runner field.

"He was fourth in a Group 1 thirteen months ago so it's been a long wait to win a race," acknowledged Shanahan.

The Kilkenny-based trainer then divulged: "He'll probably go hurdling now and we'll look for a three-year-old hurdle before Christmas. He goes on any ground.

"He's been knocking on the door and has been placed over all trips. He's schooled well and we're looking forward to going jumping." (GC & EM)