Carberry shows true colours as Dublin owner sings about Sam

Paul Carberry had to get vocal to show his support for the Royal County in the winners' enclosure at Fairyhouse on Sunday where the popular jockey partnered the first winner of the year at the track for an opening day double. "Come on the Royal" shouted Carberry after the owner of the Tony Martin-trained Osirixamix, Timothy Fitzgerald, remarked that 2011 had been a great year with the Dubs winning the Sam Maguire. "That's a great double - the Dubs winning the All-Ireland and Osirixamix winning here today for a Meath jockey and trainer," stated the Dubliner from St Margaret's. That was enough to get the jockey to show his true colours to the cheers of the crowd who had gathered around the number one spot to welcome back the winning combination. The winner is also part-owned by Garristown publican Niall Gormley and Sunday's win was compensation for a last fence fall at Cork in December when Osirixamix had the race at his mercy. On that occasion Osirixamix came down at the final fence when five lengths clear of his nearest rival, Golden Silver. At Fairyhouse on Sunday, Carberry won comfortably by almost three lengths from 4/5 favourite Lastoftheleaders. "It was very unfortunate the last day at Cork, it was just one of those things," said the trainer. "We'll just see how he is in the next fortnight and see what's available," he added. The traditional New Year's Day action attracted over 3,500 patrons through the turnstiles and many of them were shouting Carberry home in the opening race. Dont Back Down, owned by Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, landed the opening maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse. Carberry made the running on the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding until 4/6 favourite Lord Gale challenged in the home straight and looked the more likely winner. However, Carberry coaxed a winning surge which enabled a comment of "best horse I've ridden all year!" as he returned to the winners' enclosure. "It wasn't a great race and we'll step him up in trip now," said the trainer. The Dessie Hughes-trained Frisco Depot won a five-horse race to claim the beginners chase when holding off the late challenge of Noel Meade's Aitmatov by a neck. Barry Geraghty was in the winners' enclosure at Cheltenham on Sunday when the Nickey Henderson-trained Oscar Whisky was on the mark over hurdles. Dermot McLoughlin, whose late father Liam rode Arkle in his first race, made a rewarding long trip to Cork on Monday. Ocean Bright, a promising third at Gowran Park last month, made all the running for Conor Maxwell to win an inident-packed opening handicap hurdle. By The Hour (7/4 favourite) slipped up around halfway while Evesham Star, Seenya and Play The Wing all fell and Beabus House was brought down. Ocean Bright gave McLoughlin, who took out a trainer's licence in 2010, his first success on the track at Roscommon. Nina Carberry finished a memorable 2011 on a winning note when she won the last race on the card at Punchestown on Saturday last with Kates Benefit to give Cork trainer Ken Budds his first winner. Paul Carberry and Elliott were also on the mark when Shadow Catcher landed a gamble in the two mile maiden hurdle at the Kildare track. Local racing this month will see action at Navan on Sunday 15th January and Fairyhouse a week later, 22nd January where the Normans Grove Chase will be the main event.