Published: Wednesday, 21st July, 2010 4:59pm

Harley streets ahead as That's A Fret wins again

by Conall Collier

McAteer maintains winning sequence

Marie Cusack's That's A Fret winning at The Curragh on Saturday from Eamonn Duignan's Tsar Paul.
Pic by==: 97

Trainer Liam McAteer maintained his fine strike-rate for July when he saddled his fourth winner of the month at The Curragh on Saturday.

Bellewstown winner That's A Fret was on the mark again, this time for promising apprentice Martin Harley who hails from Donegal and was deputising for Ben Curtis, the regular jockey.

Curtis earned a suspension after winning by a neck with That's A Fret at Bellewstown at the beginning of July, probably for trying too hard.

Harley was seen to good effect on Saturday with a well-timed run as he won by a neck again at the expense of Tsar Paul, which is owned by Navan businessman Eamonn Duignan.

That's A Fret is owned by Trim businesswoman Marie Cusack and was bred by her out of a mare, Reality Check, which was owned by her late husband, John.

"Martin gave That's a Fret a good ride, he was a champion rider on the pony racing circuit and his claim was vital," the trainer told the Meath Chronicle.

"Galway could be an option, but he has gone up another 10 pounds for winning that race so he will have to go for a higher grade of handicap, we will keep him to six furlongs and see how he goes," added McAteer who confirmed that Croisultan will go back The Curragh next month for a group three race.

Croisultan finished a close fifth behind the Johnny Murtagh-partnered Air Chief Marshal with Eddie Lynam's Duff in second as four lenghts separated the first five in the group three Minstrel Stakes.

Murtagh completed a double on Saturday with Misty For me in a maiden while Declan McDonogh maintained his profitable partnership with trainer Ken Condon as he won a handicap with Little Arrows.

The Moynalty jockey was on the mark again for Condon on Sunday when Bay Knight won a handicap.

McDonogh also partnered Dunboyne Express to a second successive victory, this time in the Anglesey Stakes as the Meath-owned horse left Samuel Morse and Glor Na Mara cold.

Trainer Kevin Prendergast indicated that the Phoenix Stakes and the National Stakes are possible targets.

Dunboyne Express was given a first show of 14-1 for the 2000 Guineas with Paddy Power.

Curtis returned to action on Sunday and scored for Stamullen trainer Tom McCourt with Dawn Eclipse which could re-appear in a listed race at Naas this week.

There was plenty of Meath success over the jumps at Kilbeggan on Friday evening where Kilmessan native Adrian Maguire trained the winner of the feature race, the Midlands National which was won by Golden Kite in a dramatic finish.

A loose horse caused problems at the last fence and Golden Kite's jockey Brian O'Connell avoided the traffic problems, but had to survive a stewards' enquiry.

The in-form pair of Gordon Elliott and Paul Carberry won the Tom McCormack Memorial maiden hurdle with Millrock Lady which is owned by a few racing enthusiasts from Trim.

Navan jockey Andrew Thornton was on the mark for trainer Pat Martin with Irish Poli which was a popular winner for Kilbeggan chairman Paul Daly.

Dunshaughlin jockey Keith Donoghue was also on the mark for trainer Paul Flynn while Castletown handler Noel Meade won the bumper with Lean Times which had to work to land the odds for Nina Carberry.

Another local trainer who is enjoying a good run, Michael Mulvaney who is based between Navan and Kells, was on the mark at Ballinrobe on Monday night.

Bellewstown winner The Silver Crown won a handicap for Gary Carroll and the filly could bid for a hat-trick at Galway.

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