Neo Smart and Rory Cleary (right) beat Sorrento Sky© Photo Healy Racing
Jim Bolger's Neo Smart rallied gamely to land the spoils in second division of the median auction maiden at Dundalk.
The Belardo filly was prominent throughout in the seven-furlong contest and gained a narrow advantage from front-runner Bergamasco just inside the final furlong.
She was soon joined and headed by Sorrento Sky but battled gamely for Rory Cleary to get on top again close home for a half length success.
The 17/2 winner was making her eighth career start and had finished mid-division in the Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas last month.
Travelling Head Man Ger Flynn said: "The experience has stood to her well.
"She ran well the last day in the Birdcatcher in Naas. Niall McCullagh rode her and said to maybe step her up to seven (furlongs), it would be the trip for her.
"She had been running really well at the beginning of the year in the spring and we thought quite a lot of her, but again our horses weren't quite right all summer.
"She went into a bit of a growing spurt at the backend of the summer and she has just grown, is stronger and taller.
"She travelled really well today, she showed us today what she shows at home.
"They didn't go over quick and he (Rory Cleary) turned in and he knew he was going to get there. When she was headed, he said she showed battling qualities. She has always had that.
"To be fair, it is the first time she has been in front that close to the line. Rory said once she got her head down, she went away.
"I'm sure the boss will look for something here over seven or a mile for her."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
