PATRICK Kane Jr shot clear in four separate races last Sunday at Portmarnock. He went clear in the final quarter of the All-Ireland Trot on Comete des Landes. Patrick was then the clear leader going into the first turn on Fairdays Western in the pacing All-Ireland.

The Trim man went clear at the half with Porterstown Roman in a minor race. Most importantly of all, Kane went nine clear in The Irish Field drivers’ title and must surely be uncatchable with two meetings to go.

The Murphys from Baltimore are never scared to use ‘the best available’ in big races. Donal chose to stay with Bibi Dairpet in the €4,000 All-Ireland Trotting Final. Patrick came in for the catch drive on Comete des Landes (evens to 4/6).

The previous week had seen Curly Du Layon and Martin Loughran just pip Thomond O’Mara/John Madigan/Murphy-owned Comete des Landes on the line.

A week is a long time in racing and on the day, Comete des Landes simply punctured the gutsy little Curly du Layon with a blistering turn of foot at ‘Peter’s’ last time around.

Donal was asked for The Irish Field: “How does she compare with the other top-class horses you have had?”

“She’s as good as Silvano Bello when he was free-for-all class,” was the reply. High praise indeed.

Patrick is driving with the confidence that nearly 50 winners brings. He has that special knack of knowing when to move on a horse, like a golfer finding the ‘sweet spot’.

The Baltimore team were out in force in the winner’s circle, although Thomond and John were absent. As his first venture into harness racing has been a bonanza, will Thomond go pinhooking at York or even Harrisburg in 2022?

Another bonanza, namely Fairdays Western, won the All-Ireland Pace on the card. Both finals were sponsored by Red Mills Feeds a long-standing supporter of harness racing.

On at least three occasions this season, Fairdays Western has looked asthough he had enough for the year, only to come out better than ever a week later. In the All-Ireland Patrick Kane used his gate speed to blitz the starting car.

Bowl along

Newtown Rock and Alan Wallace snr threw down the gauntlet, but the son of The Preacher Pan loves to bowl along in front. The horses did come close as they both tired, but a brief enquiry allowed the northern raider to keep the race.

Neither horse deserved to lose and both Newtown Rock and Fairdays Western have served up great sport in 2021. Fairdays Western won the same late season championship last year as well.

Patrick’s treble came when the unpredictable Porterstown Roman finally put in a clear round of pacing to land a Grade G pace. Leah McNevin threw the kitchen sink at the runner-up Happy As Larry but Roman had the gears to run out a four-length winner.

Keen statistician John Mooney provided compere Peter Quirke with some interesting figures. Patrick looks to be on course to be the first driver to accumulate €50,000 of prize money in a season in Ireland.

The champagne was flowing in Mallusk on Sunday night as young Adam Corey made it three from three with Double Deuce in the E to F pace.

The Coreys of course own Fairdays Western as well. Double Deuce should win ‘Pacer of the Year’ at season’s end.

Proceedings opened with a bloodless win for Martin Loughran on the Maughan’s High Speed Efbe, a recent import from France. The winner was the favourite for money on a bad day for the layers.

Hot To Trot was an honourable second for Sean Kane who drove for his sister Mary.

The second winner was well punted as well as John Richardson crept into the race with Epopee du Layon. The mare is a stout stayer and will cross well with a fast stallion when the time comes. Coreo Fligny, often driven by John, was second for Martin Loughran.

Wayne McNevin has enjoyed a good season. He has carefully nursed IB A Magician back from injury and they beat the useful A Kind of Magic (Alan Wallace senior) in 2.02.4.

Turned around

The Murphy stable hit a flat patch around high summer but has turned things around in recent weeks. The promising looking Duc d’Arry was a convincing winner of the Grade B trot.

Donal Murphy was in the bike, his colours reminiscent of the great US driver Billy Haughton. JR was second with Colombia d’Oysse on a day when more went wrong than right for the sitting champion.

The meeting was the last ‘livestream’ of the year. Recently installed anchor man Peter Quirke soldiered on through a bitterly cold day. He has tried to make the coverage interesting and deserves great credit.

The penultimate meeting of the year will be held tomorrow at Portmarnock Raceway. Probable first race 1pm. Runners and results can be seen on www.irishharnessracing.com

Spectators are welcome (admission €10) and there is a heated bar. Social distancing is in operation. Turn in at Kinsealy Chapel off the R107.