Annaghmore Sunday

THE standard of racing is gradually improving as the season wears on. At Annaghmore on Sunday, youth was to the fore as 19-year-old Troy McAleer took out the highest grade pace on the card with Kenosha Comet and 18-year-old Adam Corey won the top grade trot with Extrem Ryld.

In the A to E pace, John Richardson’s Shesnoaprilfool was no bigger than evens whereas Kenosha Comet drifted to 4/1. The 30-yard handicap made the difference as J.R.’s mare couldn’t get to Kenosha Comet who came home in 59.6 under a typical enterprising drive from Troy. The winner is owned by long time trotting supporter Ned Stafford from North Dublin.

By contrast Extrem Ryld (9/4 to evens) was well supported in the B to D trot, with only the Glengormley runner and the Omeath-based Ecrin De Grimault (Noel Ryan) coming in for meaningful support in the ring. The finished ‘as they bet’ with Extrem Ryld leading all the way under a confident Adam Corey. The 10-year-old recorded a respectable 3.10.5 for 12 furlongs.

“He has never been as sound,” commented Adam’s father Kevin, “we walk him in a hydro pool and it agrees with him.”

“I do all the work,” was an additional comment from Adam’s mum Marguerite. Everybody claims a winner.

Walter Stewart has a long catalogue of decent horses going back through a 50-year career. The latest nice prospect from the Coleraine yard is Big Bets (Betting Line – Yankee Lover) who won the maiden in 2.02.5 at odds of 1/2.

In years past a big rugged type like Big Bets would have been labelled a “Musselburgh type” but unfortunately that unique test of stamina has been lost forever.

Ciaran Morrison was trainer/driver. The £374 up for grabs was small beer to Ciaran who has trained at the highest level in Canada.

Meadowbranch Lil Mil was second with John Richardson.

The Meadowbranch yard did get on the scoresheet when Meadowbranch Bobby (3/1) led out, made all under Charlie Flanagan to win the grade F pace.

Charlie is looking forward to the Bernie Kelly Memorial International Lady Drivers Race at the Vincent Delaney Meeting in Wolverhampton on August 11th.

Charlie, Grace Kelly and Chelsie O’Driscoll will represent Ireland against the best from five countries.

Influence

Hughie Richardson may be 10 years departed but his influence on the ‘pedigrees’ of drivers lives on.

Hughie’s grand-nephew Freddie Kavanagh was seen to good effect as he pinged the gate with Isora De Source to dominate the E to F trot. The win was big training performance on seasonal debut. Freddie’s only problem was getting the mare pulled up.

If the Ashbourne-based farrier can bring similar improvement to his other runner Fleche Extreme, due out tomorrow, said horse should be followed,

Hughie’s grandson Noel Ryan won the grade G pace with Marias Blaze (3/1 to 5/2). The contest was correctly described by commentator James Griffin as a competitive race. Noel let Oakwood Carmelita go at the half, only to immediately retake the lead.

The full-brother to North To Alaska is still improving for owner Shane O’Neill.

Coalford Henry H (Bernard Nicholson) stayed on well for second.

Tir Prince

The Irish contingent failed to win a race at Tir Prince’s North Wales championships on the Saturday before Annaghmore. In a complete opposite of the National Hunt situation, the British side seem to be holding all the aces at the moment although revenge might come at Wolverhampton or Tregaron.

Best of the three visitors was Always Skye, second in a fast clock for Lawrence Stewart and Jonny Cowden.

2024 National Harness

Driver Award

Wins total at June 26th (unofficial)

Jonny Cowden, Glengormley 10

Patrick Kane junior, Trim 6

Troy Mc Aleer, St Margaret’s 6

Jamie Hurley, Reenascreena 5

Michael O’Mahony, Schull 5

John Richardson, Ballyboughal 4

Patrick Hill, Leap 4

Lyre Sunday

LYRE hosted the Cork heats of both the All-Ireland Trot and Pace on Sunday, the racing was excellent.

In the trot division, eight went to post with Feerie Des Brouets sent off as favourite. Cometes Des Landes (Eoin Murphy) and Graal Du Dollar (Jamie Hurley) traded blows up front, although Hurley’s horse made a costly break. Down to the final quarter, both Holloway Road and Duc D’Arry joined issue, with the latter weaving his way through the field to eventually land the spoils.

“After a difficult draw in seven going out on the final lap we were still well back. Our next problem was traffic, it was like Drimoleague on a busy Saturday when the bus meets the Drinagh Co-op milk truck in the middle of the village! When the opening came my fellow flew home,” driver Denis O’Reilly told The Irish Field.

Great weekend

In the All-Ireland pace, Teddy Camden finished off a great weekend for Drimoleague publican Derry McCarthy. The son of Stonebridge Galaxy led from the start and despite the best efforts of IB Paddington, was always a winner, going on to score by a comfortable two lengths. McCarthy also had a winner in the UK with Stateside Lockdown winning in Hellifield.

It was a good day all round for Drimoleague with Matthew O’Reilly driving two winners for his father Tadhg. In the grade F pace, Dimajio led early but Spartan Warrior took it up with two furlongs to go and had a length to spare at the finish from Christy Brown.

Matthew’s brace was completed in the grade E pace. Get Me Out Of Here led from the start and did not see a rival easing to a length winning margin from IB Felicity.

“Have horse will travel,” has always been the motto for Dublin owner Philip “Buster” Gilligan.

Coalford Billy Bats recorded his second win of the season in the G1 and G2 pace. Gilligan was all confidence on the winner, hitting the front on the back straight and was too good for Storm Trooper who stayed on for second.

All the rage

Irish Good Dream was all the rage in the betting in the grade F trot. Hippie Sisu led but veteran Brutenor was soon on his case and ran his three rivals ragged, winning by seven lengths for Leap owner Pete Hill.

Hestia Malex was another to upset the odds in the grade E and D trot. Kieran O’Driscoll wasn’t waiting for his four rivals and ran out a three-length winner from Empereur Souverain. The winner is owned by Dunmaway’s Jeremiah O’Mahony.

The meeting had the pleasure of a visit from Australian horseman Alan Cronin and his wife Norita from Adelaide.

As the name would suggest, Cronin has Cork roots and is based at Globe Derby Park, Adelaide. Cronin has a mix of race horses and is also in the breeding side of the industry. He was accompanied by owners Robert and Janice Blair.

“It was a great experience and we had a fabulous day mixing with the locals in the paddock area,” said Alan Cronin.

Racing this week moves to Dunmanway tomorrow for The George Deane Memorial in the Cork region. The Leinster/Ulster contingent race at Annaghmore tomorrow. Full results and racecards can be seen on www.irishharnessracing.com. Replays of all races can be seen on Irish Harness Racing Association Facebook page.