Niall Madden showed that he is equally adept on the level as over jumps when registering his biggest win on the Flat aboard Rockall Blizzard at Galway on Monday.
Madden gave the Noel Meade-trained gelding a strong drive in the closing stages of the Ardilaun House Hotel Oyster Stakes to narrowly deny Be My Queen and Kieren Fallon.
The 16/1 shot was produced to lead entering the straight and found that bit extra close home to prevail after a good duel with the Ballydoyle filly in the final furlong.
'The step up to a mile-and-a-half suited him and I'm delighted as I didn't think he was realising his full potential,' said Meade of the winner.
'He'll probably go for another listed race and hopefully we can keep him for next year. He's unlikely to go jumping as he's not very big and it would be the wrong thing to do.'
Meade went on to complete a double in the concluding Gilmartin Group Maiden Hurdle when Cleni Boy made an impressive debut over timber.
Paul Carberry cruised through to lead on the gelding before the straight and quickly settled matters.
Fallon got into the winners' enclosure when giving Perfect Memory a well judged ride from the front in the Electronic Retail Security Handicap.
He sent the filly for home two furlongs out and quickly went four lengths clear. Christy Donoghue's charge kept on strongly to score by two-and-a-half lengths from Da Bookie.
The Western Pleasure Auction Race also witnessed a smart front-running performance from Miss Josiey Wales.
The David Wachman-trained filly stayed on well in the straight to hold the challenge of 7/4f Fabrigas by a length-and-a-quarter.
Oodachee has his sights set on the Kerry National after a cheeky success in the Galway City Vintners Novice Chase.
David Casey's mount was full of running entering the straight but only put his head in front close home for a head verdict.
'It was brilliant ride,' said winning trainer Charlie Swan afterwards. 'He does stop in front and once he got there he thought he had done enough.'
Truly Gold proved a memorable winner for trainer Robbie Burns when out battling Fayr Star by a neck to claim the Tom Hogan Lexus Handicap.
Burns, who trains in Dunleer, is originally from Killimor in Galway and was registering his first winner at his local track.
Pat Smullen praised Unlock's stamina after she stayed on strongly in the closing stages to make virtually all in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden while Rockie flashed home in the closing stages to land the Trappers Inn Handicap.
