Shersha cheer for Treacy
The big hitters were out in force for Macduff and he was hammered from 11-10 and evens to 4-6.
Christopher Geoghegan rode a smashing race on Shersha, however, grabbing a decisive lead as the field straightened for the judge.
Macduff was soon in hot pursuit, but the bird had flown and Shersha was still half a length to the good at the line.
“She needed it and I needed it,” exclaimed Treacy, with more than a hint of relief. “She runs her heart out every day and deserved that.
“I haven’t had the best time of late, but it’s about numbers and I have only 22 horses. At the same time it is all I want and I won’t be expanding. Shersha is in a couple of races at the Curragh next weekend and that’s where she will go next.”
The capable Geoghegan completed a double on the Paul Cashman trained Enamoured in the Derrinstown Apprentice Handicap.
Held up, in contrast to her previous race at Tralee, the daughter of Groom Dancer came through late to master Bowerman.
“That’s her job done, she is on foal to Namid,” said Cashman. “She will be given a little break and then have one more run.”
Fran Berry, who partnered Macduff earlier on, soon made his way to the winner’s enclosure when guiding Artist’s Muse to victory in the Dolan’s Warehouse Maiden.
This time Berry made his move early in the straight and Artist’s Muse quickened well to beat Royal Rhythm and the again disappointing, Bonanza.
Jimmy O’Neill, representing John Oxx, commented: “She disappointed us at Gowran Park last time and hung a bit. But Fran said she was grand tonight and we will now see what mark the handicapper gives her.”
Charismatic Cat, carrying the colours of Michael Tabor and trained by Aidan O’Brien, was running off a lowly 67 in the Events Parking Handicap.
It was obviously a measure of his poor form and certainly he had become regarded as less than reliable.
But Charismatic Cat got a tremendous drive from Colm O’Donoghue to score by two and a half lengths. He was under the cosh off the home turn, but found the necessary for pressure, forging away inside the furlong pole.
O’Donoghue, however, was found guilty of using his whip excessively and suspended for two days.
O’Brien landed a double when Down Mexico Way condescended to put his best foot forward in the Limerick Leader Maiden.
Seamus Heffernan took no nonsense from the Sadler’s Wells colt, driving him clear well over a furlong down to score by an easy three and a half lengths.
Very talented 17-year-old Chris Hayes was seen at his best aboard Lucky Lucioni in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
Seal Colony kicked away early in the straight, but the youngster rode a fine finish to force his charge up close home to score by a neck.
It took Hayes’ tally for the campaign to an impressive 13 and his overall total to 21.
David Marnane, who recently took out a licence to train, having spent a number of years in Dubai, saddled his second winner when Stuttgart took the Irwin Bros Jewellers Ladies Handicap.
Stuttgart benefited from a strong drive from Cathy Gannon to get the better of a protracted duel with Jolly Sharp, the verdict a short head.
