THE training partnership of Michael Halford and Tracey Collins has been a success story this season and they had a day to remember when sending out a treble on the card at Dundalk on Wednesday.

Ronan Whelan was in the plate for all three victories and the day started perfectly with Make Believe gelding Cash Collector making a winning debut in the opening median auction maiden.

The 12/1 shot came with a strong surge inside the final furlong to lead in the closing stages and beat the well-backed 5/2 favourite Step It Out by a length.

Halford owns the winner himself and said afterwards: “He’s a horse that I liked. We didn’t have a terrible lot done with him and I would expect him to improve nicely for it. I own him myself and as the fella says, he’d be on the market. Santa is coming!”

Forgotten flies home

The consistent Not Forgotten completed a brace for the yard when running out a convincing winner of the mile maiden.

Whelan, in the colours of Lillian Stanley, produced the 8/11 shot to challenge early in the straight and he asserted passing the furlong pole for a three-length win.

Collins said afterwards: “He had been running consistently well and did what we expected him to do. Ronan gave him a very positive ride, he is riding out of his skin. He rides here as well as anybody.”

Grace too good

The treble was completed in the first division of the ten furlong handicap when Doctor Grace justified favouritism after a couple of solid runs.

Whelan produced the 3/1 shot with a strong run to lead in the closing stages and record a neck victory over Moondharrig.

“Her problem was she was getting herself out of her races early on, she lacked a bit of early pace and then she had too much traffic,” said Halford.

“We put the blinkers on her and she jumped a lot sharper today and carried him better. It is a good local success for the Dundalk Racing Club, so it finished off a good day for us.”

THE Charles Byrnes-trained Rhythm And Tyne proved popular in the second division of the ten furlong handicap on the card.

Having traded at 10/1 in the morning the Elzaam gelding went off 9/4 favourite on his second outing for the Limerick handler.

There were plenty with chances at the furlong pole but Adam Caffrey’s mount stuck his head in front in the closing stages to post a half-length win over the staying on Nawraq.

Caffrey was wearing the colours of owner Anne Rowney and said afterwards: “I was in a lovely position and I was able to suit myself. He quickened well.

“Cathal [Byrnes] was here and he tells you what to do as well. They are very easy people to ride for. It has been an excellent year and I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support.”

Fantasy collects

Another apprentice who has really shone this year is Sean Bowen and he bagged another winner on the Willie Browne-trained Realtin Fantasy in the five-furlong handicap.

The Power mare went to post a 22/1 shot but was prominent throughout and led in the straight to record a hard-fought, half-length win over Havana Notion.

Bowen said: “I kind of fancied her today off a light weight. She hadn’t run in about two-and-a-half months and it freshened her up. I’d like to thank Willie Browne for giving me the opportunity and Mr [Eugene] O’Donnell for letting me ride her today. They have been very good to me.”

Buzz fights on

Oisin McSweeney was another claimer to strike on the card when giving Mullacash Buzz a strong drive in a thrilling finish to the seven-furlong handicap.

The Thomas Dowling-trained gelding cut out the running and battled gamely when joined by Little Keilee inside the final furlong, just holding on by a short-head at the line.

The race was confined to riders with less than 15 winners in the last season and McSweeney said: “I’m delighted to be riding at Dundalk. I had two concussions, so it left me on the sidelines for a while, but sure I am here now and I am healthy.”

ROSS O’Sullivan wasn’t surprised to see Monzoon claimed after his convincing win in the mile contest.

The Bated Breath gelding led over a furlong from home, under Shane Foley, and soon scooted clear to score by five and a half lengths at odds of 7/1.

O’Sullivan said: “The man that owns him [John Bowden] has won three races with him and he has had a great time but he’s six going seven and he wants to get a couple of younger horses. It is nice to go out on a high with him.”

The winner was claimed by TSM Racing Syndicate to be trained by Noel Kelly.

Bolger filly scores

Neo Smart opened her account in the second division of the median auction maiden earlier on the card.

Jim Bolger’s Belardo filly battled it out with Sorrento Sky inside the final furlong, finding more close home to score by half a length under Rory Cleary.

Travelling head man Ger Flynn said: “She ran well the last day in the Birdcatcher at Naas [when seventh]. Niall McCullagh rode her then and said to step her up to seven. She travelled really well, she showed us today what she shows at home.”