RHYDS Superfly owned by John Ball from London, trained by Paddy Kane and driven by his son Patrick, set the track on fire at Annaghmore last weekend. The five-year-old son of See And Ski ran into traffic problems in both heat and final at Tregaron the previous week.
On Sunday, Patrick Kane took the race by the scruff of the neck and the time of 1.58.4 equates to 1.51.4, maybe faster at The Meadowlands.
One Cool Touch (John Boy Roche) put in a good shift for second money, but as ‘13 lengths’ will confirm there really was no second.
Superfly actually drifted to a bit of 5/4 following a flurry of money for Louis Vutton. Nine favourites obliged out of 10 races on a day the layers will want to forget.
The one result for the satchel men was when Colin McTaggart’s GD’s Blizzard (5/1) punctured Rhyds Shady Affair (5/4) in the Grade F pace. The win was Colin’s first at an IHRA venue, having previously raced at an unaffiliated track.
The wins recently by GD’s Blizzard and Gavin Playford’s Jack Sparrow both prove that newcomers can win on the IHRA circuit. It’s not easy, but it can be done.
“It was great to bag a winner as the mare had training setbacks early in the year,” said Ballyclare-based Colin.
Ten different drivers guided a winner on the day. Jonnny ‘Be Good’ Cowden kept within striking distance in the race for The Irish Field silver salver for leading driver with an all-the-way victory on Always Skye for the Lawrence Stewart yard in the top grade pace which clocked 1.59.1.
Lord on track
Nine times winner of the English Pacing Derby, Mick Lord from Yorkshire was in this country for some non-horsey business. Mick was invited into several winner’s circles. Modest with impeccable manners. Mick (now 70) is a great role model for young drivers.
Proceedings opened with Lieutenant Dan’s fourth win of the season in the three-year-old class for owners Ger Kane and Jeremiah O’Mahony and driver Sean Kane. Second string Little Miss Sarah (Bernard Nicholson) nearly spoiled the party running ‘Dan’ to a head.
“He’s an exciting prospect but still a bit immature,” Sean told The Irish Field.
Meadowbranch Lil Mil (4/5 best) gave John Richardson his customary winner in 2.05.9. a Grade G pace.
Gilroy’s Fleche fires a win
Fleche Extreme made it two-from-two in the Grade F trot for trainer/driver Lee Kelly. The much travelled nine-year-old mare is actually owned by Matthew Gilroy - the fact was misreported last week! Best Of Burois showed improved form for second under Gavin Murdock.
Marias Blaze (4/5 favourite) is one of the most promising young pacers in the land. Noely Ryan had the strong gelding away swiftly and shrugged off all comers in 2.01.1. Battle Fever (Jonny Cowden) stayed on for second.
“He’s a nice replacement for his full-brother North To Alaska who is now retired,” said Noel of Shane O’Neill’s four-year-old.
Charlie Flanagan’s good run in the apprentice series continues as she won a leg with Hernani D’Orient, owned by Meadowbranch and Allan Davies of Wales. Surely the IHRA have sufficient staff and resources to publicise the latest standings in the apprentices on-line and on the racecards.
Fit the bill
The ‘wagering public’ as the attendance is known in America love an ‘aggressive’ driver to carry their ’10 bucks’. Billy Roche would fit the bill as he oozed confidence on Hope De Guinnette in the A to C trot. The manner in which he chased the gelding out of the gate would suggest that Billy had done his homework at Newtown Stud.
The runner-up Ecrin De Grimault (Noel Ryan) did not make any inroads on the winner’s lead.
Proceedings closed with the by now predictable sight of a favourite gunning out of the gate and taking up an unassailable advantage.
Helska Du Fetu was the said ‘jolly’ with Eoin Joyce from Skryne in the bike. 2.04.1 was the clock with the winner running to the line. The second favourite Isora De Source did not land a glove on the winner.
Racing at Annaghmore Raceway is set to continue on Sundays until Halloween. The venue is at Junction 13 M1 or eight miles east of Richill. Tomorow’s meeting will carry prize money enhanced by funds from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine/Horse Sport Ireland and as such, is a result of hard work by the IHRA in the corridors of power. Results, racecards and information at www.irishharnessracing.com Replays on IHRA Facebook.
Driver Number of wins
(unofficial) at Sept 11th
Patrick Kane jnr, Trim, 18
Jonny Cowden, Glengormley 16
Eoin Murphy, Baltimore 13
Troy McAleer, St Margarets 13
Jamie Hurley, Reenascreena 13
John Richardson, Ballyboughal 12
Oisin Quill, Kenmare 9
Michael O’Mahony Schull 7
Patrick Hill, Leap 7
Noel Ryan, Drumcondra 7