The same couple previously owned the pacer Springhill Biscuit (35 lifetime wins) who was still winning at the age of 11, so few can doubt Joe’s ability to get a tune out of an older fiddle.

Boyardo, a good-looking chestnut, has won during each of the four seasons that Joe has owned him. Sunday’s win came after a fierce scrap with Ecrin De Grimault (Noel Ryan). Cowden attempted to make all over the 10-furlong trip. He looked beaten as John Morgan’s Ecrin De Grimault (2/1 second favourite) loomed large but the Louth runner did not stay. Hot To Trot (Sean Kane) was a game second.

Boyardo’s win at 7/2 was timely as Joe’s brother Richard is home from Australia at the moment. Richard (75) emigrated in 2003 taking the stallion Gold Glover with him. He has stayed involved in the sport down under.

Boyardo picked his moment well because the Springhill Stud were narrowly denied in the opener. Springhill Lockdown was pipped at the post by Check Out Lou (Jonny Cowden this time for owner Paul Kelly). Paul is the husband of the late Bernie Kelly, a much-appreciated administrator in harness racing.

Cowden clear

Jonny could equally be our headline this week. He is now four winners clear in the battle for The Irish Field silver salver for leading driver. The season is just about half way with some major cards still to come. Cowden’s treble came at a good time as he had three fallow weeks recently. Jonny’s middle winner was Always Skye (4/6 best) for the in-form outfit of Stewart Coleraine. Proud mother of trainers and drivers, Carmel Stewart pointed out that her sons were ‘first and second’ as Jimmy Stewart drove the consistent Lets Get To It for second money.

Jonny was his usual matter-of-fact self after racing.

“I was confident on the first two, but Joe’s horse was a nice surprise.”

The Irish Harness Racing Association have a system of ‘claiming’ a horse. Unlike the USA where every horse in a certain race can be claimed for a pre-printed price, in Ireland one can enter a horse against other horses ‘not for sale‘. As I understand it, the lesser price you value your horse, the softer the handicap.

However it was arrived at, Dusty Jiel from the leading yard of Meadowbranch Stud was claimable for €1,750 in a Grade F to G trot. The names of four ‘bidders’ went into a hat. Gavin Murdock drew the opportunity to buy, and five minutes later the 10-year-old outperformed his recent form by winning the Grade F and G trot.

The win in 2.39.8 will probably be John Richardson’s last drive on the dark bay. John seemed sorry to lose Dusty Jiel.

“He’s an honest sort of horse,” was J.R.’s summary.

Gavin quickly sold the gelding to Neil McDermott who now has a seasoned racehorse for the late season.

Antics

Priceless has earned some column inches in these reports due to her antics at the start of races. Therefore, it is nice to report that the tall daughter of Sweet Lou had her going head on for Sunday.

The Galbally-based mare did not put a foot wrong and in fact had to show some resilience in a three-way finish as she held off Meadowbranch Lil Mil (John Richardson) and Oakwood Carmelita (Gavin Murdock).

The pace was a Grade G affair and her recent form saw Priceless go off as the ‘rag’ at 9/2.

Simon Duggan was at the reins. Sean Duggan commented: “If she runs with that attitude in the four-year-old mares’ race (tomorrow) she’d have a big chance. She has clocked 2.00 at Tir Princee.”

Ayroplane (2/5 favourite) fetched £20,000 in the sales ring at York last autumn and got his track career off to an impressive start in the two-year-old race. The well-made son of Stay Hungry was driven by Patrick Kane jnr. The combination was made to work for it as Billy Roche tossed in a 29 second opening quarter aboard Little Sweet. As the latter is a filly against a colt and was only beaten three lengths in 2.02.8, she is worth following. The Grade F pace saw an ex-Roche horse, namely Louis Vutton, score for in-form trainer Jim McAteer of Randalstown.

“He’s improving all the time,” said Jim. “Thanks go to Mark Kane, equine dentist who sorted out his teeth.”

Jim’s son Daniel was on holidays so Freddie Kavanagh took the catch drive. Freddie earned a holiday of a different sort; a two-week ban for ‘team driving’ in the opening race.