LEE Kelly from Delvin, Westmeath, and Robbie Maguire from Kilmallock in Limerick both chalked up a double at Dunmanway on Sunday.
Kelly from Blanchardstown made the journey down with two horses and both were on the score sheet. Fleche Extreme kicked off Lee’s brace. Irish Good Dream made the early running but lost stride, giving the advantage to Fleche Extreme who kept to his game and stayed on to win by three lengths from Hippie Sisu.
“Matthew Gilroy and my partner Kayleigh Nestor own him and to be fair Kayleigh does most of the work with him. We train out in Garristown at the Springhill Stud,” said Lee modestly.
Seeinisbelievin completed the double for Kelly in the Grade G to G2 Pace. Seeinisbelievin repelled the attack by Yankee Chip and was officially the winner by three-quarters of a length.
The winner is owned by Lee’s father Paul, who was a proud man as he ‘sired’ three winners on the day. Apart from Lee’s double in West Cork, his sister Grace won the International Lady Drivers’ Race at the marquee meeting in Wolverhampton. The race was named in honour of wife and mother Bernie Kelly.
Robbie Maguire teamed up with his grandfather John Boyle from Doneraile to drive the first double of his fledgling career. Robbie produced Streams Of Whiskey on the final lap to pass early leaders Spartan Warrior and Ceiron Jack, eventually winning by a confident two lengths.
Outsider
IB Felicity was the outsider of the five pacers in the Grade C to E pace. However, Maguire lead out and made all to beat IB Paddington by a length.
“To be fair Robbie is driving well at the moment. He doesn’t get too many “outside” drives but I’m sure after today he might get a few more,” said winning owner John Boyle of his grandson.
Denis O’Reilly’s Duc D’Arry was back in handicap company following his big win in Free-For-All grade on the previous weekend. The Drimoleague-based gelding is all class and made light work of that deficit to beat Gentleman Coglais by three very comfortable lengths.
Annaghmore races tomorrow.
There is no meeting in the Cork region this weekend but the Red John Memorial on August 24th and 25th will be top class and a great place to see harness racing first hand.