The Dermot Weld team is getting into fifth gear ahead of the Galway Festival and his Dictation landed her maiden win in the Frank Moran Memorial Handicap at Ballinrobe today.
Jockey Pat Smullen moved the daughter of Diktat through to lead after halfway, before maintaining the gallop to the line, eventually holding Sioux Falls by a comfortable length.
Afterwards Mark Weld, representing his father, reported 'Pat gave that an excellent ride from the front and that was a deserved win.'
James Kelly, racing manager to owner Lady O'Reilly, also added that Dictation will be sent to the December Sales.
The featured Centra Hurdle provided an upset with 4/6 favourite Red Square Lady proving no match for Dessie Hughes' Hardy Duckett, who made all under Nicky O'Shea.
Hughes later reported that the well backed 7/4 second favourite 'broke his pelvis here last year and is only now returning to form. He'll probably be sent chasing later in the year and he goes on any ground.'
Apprentice Rory Cleary is excellent value for his 5lb claim and he partnered his 17th winner of the season on Michael Halford's Nurenberg, in the Andy & Judy O'Rourke Memorial Maiden.
The winning son of Giant's Causeway tracked the leaders before improving to lead two furlongs out, eventually winning by four lengths.
Halford's good recent run is establishing himself as one of the biggest trainers in the country and he mentioned 'in the last six days I have had runners, I had a winner each day.'
'Nurenberg was my first winner for owners, the Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd.'
Eddie Lynam's was the easy winner of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Coranna Handicap, under Jamie Moriarty.
Lynam later reported 'Shooz is well bred and is in-foal to Hawk Wing; we may well rest on our laurels with this win and retire her.'
Ben Lawlor's Tango Step landed his third win of the year in the opening Smyths Toys Handicap.
Ridden by seven pound claiming apprentice Martin Lane, Tango Step raced in mid division before staying on well to lead close home to deny Surprise Me by a short head.
Afterwards Dundrum, Co Dublin based Lawlor reported 'he'll go for a handicap at Galway on the Saturday and the jockey did very well and deserves more opportunities.'
Five pound claimer Johnny Levins gave The Dark Flasher a good ride to land a long overdue fences win for the Charlie Swan trained gelding, in the AIB Westport Beginners Chase.
