Athea, Sunday

THE Southern Region staged a stellar afternoon of racing in Athea, Co Limerick, on Sunday.

Thankfully, the morning showers cleared away and the racing did more than enough to whet the appetite for the Dingle festival in four weeks’ time. The meeting is always associated with Jerry Hannon who made his commentating debut at this track.

Last year’s Dingle Derby first and second Caro Quintero and Verstappen renewed rivalry in the 12-furlong feature and they produced another pulsating finish.

The latter led at a slow pace until Caro Quintero joined issue off the final bend. Maurice Ahern and Patrick O’Connor’s Caro Quintero answered every call to lead well inside the distance for a length and a half victory for Julian Pietropaolo.

The race was live streamed to Australia much to the delight of part-owner and Athea native Patrick O’Connor. The pair are now set for an intriguing rematch in this year’s Dingle highlight.

This was a second leg of a double for the talented Pietropaolo who earlier struck in the 14.2hh 10-furlong race with Baby Caro. The Oldcastle winner turned this into an absolute rout and won eased down by a dozen lengths.

The winner is now set up for an enthralling clash with Five Stone Of Lead over the three days of Dingle.

Kian McNally, who was narrowly denied on Verstappen, gained some compensation with a double on Little Heart and She’s Got It. The Teddy Worrell-trained Little Heart came back from a break when landing the 15hh contest over Hasta La Vista.

This pair fought out a dour battle up the straight with Little Heart winning a shade snugly at the line. Both horses could well meet again in Taghmon tomorrow afternoon.

Kian’s double came courtesy of the brilliant She’s Got It who ran out a hugely impressive winner of the two-mile event. The winner, who is owned by the Dream Team Partnership, surely boasts a unique record as a Golden Mile winner that can also be just as talented over two miles.

A tilt at the Dingle Derby has not been ruled out by connections with a last-minute decision most likely.

Remarkable association

Champion lady jockey Nicola Burns continued her remarkable association with Chloe’s Sam when landing the Golden Mile trial race. The cream certainly came to the top here as Chloe’s Sam and Honest Bernie went head-to-head from over a furlong down.

Shane Crabbe’s charge pulled out a bit more in the closing stages to score by a length from Honest Bernie with Jacob running a fine race in third for Patrick McGettigan. Again, the first pair could well clash in Taghmon.

It was a day to savour for Kildare jockey Holly Halford who gained her first career winner when Smooth Operator ran out a clear-cut winner of the maiden race.

Holly gave the winner a really patient ride and came with a perfectly-timed challenge to lead inside the furlong pole for a very taking victory. The partnership returned to a rapturous reception in the parade ring.

Dylan O’Connor was on the mark when Katie Taylor ran out a smooth winner of the 14hh contest for Clarecastle owner Shane Kerin. The winner made every inch of the running and will bid for a repeat victory at next month’s Dingle festival.

Peach of a ride

Kerry jockey Billy Roberts gave Tiny Dancer an absolute peach of a drive to win the opening 12.2hh contest over seven furlongs. Billy was content to track the leaders for most of the journey before coming with a wet sail to lead inside the last 50 yards for a snug victory.

Kilkee owner Willie McGrath made a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure when Little Sadie came home late and fast to grab the spoils in the nine furlong 13.2hh race. Meath jockey Camillus Byrne was yet again seen to really good effect here and looks a big name for the future.

Mountrath jockey Reese Holohan has impressed many shrewd judges this year and he was back in the winner’s enclosure when Dell Boy kept on strongly up the straight to repel the late challenge of Maverick under Nicola Burns by a length and a half at the finish.

The winner was completing a good day for owner Shane Crabbe who was also on the mark with Chloe’s Sam.

THE North West Racing Board will stage a meeting this afternoon at Port Salon, Co Donegal, with a 4pm start.

Racing in Taghmon, Co Wexford, goes ahead tomorrow, Sunday, with a 1pm start.

The Midlands circuit will resume in Drumconrath, Co Meath, on Sunday, July 21st, at 1pm.

Results, Sunday, July 7th

12.2HH (7F): 1, L. Lynch’s TINY DANCER (Billy Roberts); 2, P. Collins SOUTH OF THE BORDER (Keano Goff); 3, Curly Syndicate’s HELLO BOY (Dylan O’Connor).

13.2HH (9F): 1, W. McGrath’s LITTLE SADIE (Camillus Byrne); 2, Curly Syndicate’s HELLO STAR (Dylan O’Connor); 3, P. Collins/M. Ahern’s DOWN MEXICO WAY (Julian Pietropaolo).

14HH (9F): 1, S. Kerin’s KATIE TAYLOR (Dylan O’Connor); 2, J. McMahon’s RICE’S ROAD (Camillus Byrne); 3,J. Collins KERRY NORTH (Kian McNally).

14.2HH (10F): 1, M. Ahern/P. O’Connor’s BABY CARO (Julian Pietropaolo); 2, J. Walsh/P. Collins PACMAN (Lily Walsh); 3, W. McGrath’s REUBEN JANE (Camillus Byrne).

15HH (10F): 1, I. Worrell’s LITTLE HEART (Kian McNally); 2, M. O’Connor’s HASTA LA VISTA (Dylan O’Connor); 3, R. White’s BUBBA WATSON (Lily Walsh).

Open Horse Race (1M): 1, S. Crabbe’s CHLOE’S SAM (Nicola Burns); 2, I. Worrell’s HONEST BERNIE (Kian McNally); 3, L. Bergin’s JACOB (Patrick McGettigan).

Athea Derby (12F): 1, M. Ahern/P. O’Connor’s CARO QUINTERO (Julian Pietropaolo); 2, I. Worrell’s VERSTAPPEN (Kian McNally); 3, S. Crabbe’s GO ON JIMMY (Reese Holohan).

Open Horse Race (10F): 1, Who Owns What Parts Syndicate’s DELL BOY (Reese Holohan); 2, Finnerty Families MAVERICK (Nicola Burns); 3, L. Bergin’s FIREDROPS (Patrick McGettigan).

Open Horse Race (2M): 1, Dream Team Partnership’s SHE’S GOT IT (Kian McNally); 2, All For Sale Syndicate’s HERE WE GO AGAIN (Julian Pietropaolo); 3, L. Halford’s BIG BUCKS (Holly Halford).

Maiden Horse Race (10F): L. Halford’s SMOOTH OPERATOR (Holly Halford); 2, L. O’Sullivan’s MAKE A PLAN (Jayden Chute); 3, Finnerty Families CARAMORE (Nicola Burns).