Annaghmore Sunday

THOSE great adversaries John Richardson and Billy Roche both scored a double on a card of excellent racing last Sunday at Clive Richardson’s oval at Annaghmore.

The meeting was enlivened by the Black Horse Series for two and three-year-olds. Two of the smaller yards got on the score sheet, namely Gui McCullough (Be In My Shoes) and Gabriel McDonogh with Cracker Mach.

There’s nothing like the sense of anticipation when the latest crop of two-year-olds start to race properly. The following sires were represented across the two -year-old and three-year-old races; Sweet Lou, Bit Of A Legend, Down By The Seaside, Foreclosure, Always Be Miki, Hasty Hall and See In Ski. The bloodlines on display would not look out of place at any US track.

Neville Martin’s Sweet Dreams, driven by John Richardson, was installed as favourite for the two-year-old fillies by virtue of the fact that she had won her only start. The Red Baron himself, Billy Roche got one over on JR in this contest winning the race with Always Be Puffin

John tussled for the lead with Angelsey Hall (Patrick Kane jnr).

Eventually Billy came round both of them to score in 2.04.6. He had to use this first timer more than he would have liked, but she kept finding for the tall boss of the Cloghran barn.

Roche has not had a top two-year-old for a long time and he was obviously delighted.

“The lads [not the Coolmore lads for a change] bought her privately at York Sale as she was a bit small but she has grown up since then,” said Billy,” she is owned by my brother John, Joe Gannon and Darragh Mitchell.”

Roche double

Billy’s double came with Imperial Attitude in the top grade pace for owner Tom Kiely and Laois-based trainer Kevin Carey. The combination pinged the gate and they did not see a rival. IB A Magician (Patrick Kane jnr) rallied gamely but Imperial Attitude was gone for all money.

Billy’s North Dublin neighbour and competitor John Richardson also picked up some Black Horse sponsorship money when he won the three-year-old colts’ division with the strapping Sweet Jeff, the property of Limerick man Jack Manning.

Sweet Jeff vied for favouritism with Rhyds Shady Affair, a winner last time out. On the track JR got the top early (always an advantage on a mucky day) and went on for a five-length win in 2.02.2.

“He did that nicely.” said the 20-time champion, “he came the last half in a minute flat.”

The phone call to the Mannings surely had a positive tone as on Sunday night, the owners supplemented the gelded son of Sweet Lou for his age group at the Vincent Delaney Memorial meeting in North Wales on August 12th and 13th.

John won the closer, an A to B trot with Emeric de Perreux. The Meadowbranch outfit do not keep any passengers and the fact that Richardson has persevered was a tip in itself. The thinly built nine-year-old made every post a winning post.

Extrem Ryld raced like a champion to get within a head for young Adam Correy. Kevin Rafferty’s prolific winner looks to be coming back to himself.

Lovely horse

“That was Emeric’s second run in two years,” said John” he had had issues, but he is a lovely horse to be around.”

The mare Brown Shoes was mentioned herein last week as a producer of racehorses. On Sunday, she added another Irish winner to her roster as Gui McCullough’s Be In My Shoes (6/1) overturned the 4/6 shot Rhyds Eye Kandy (Patrick Kane Jr). Confidential was second yet again for Wayne McNevin.

Be In My Shoes is surely the first grade G pace winner stabled at Cloghy, near Portavogie. Owner driver Gui McCullough is a grandson of the well-known Shankill Road horseman Eddie “Aber” McCullough.

Another family firm upset the big boys when Cracker Mach (Gabriel McDonogh) was another all-the-way victor in the E to F pace. The 4/6 favourite, Meadowbranch Bobby, blew his chances with an uncharacteristic break at the start.

“He’s very decent,” said Gabriel,” I even think he could be better than Coalford Ollie.” High praise indeed.

Ha’penny Chance continues to show outstanding form for Hopper Foran. The straightforward chesnut mare made up loads of ground to take the grade F trot with Isora de Source (John Richardson) the bridesmaid. 2.39.8 was recorded for the mile and a quarter.

Hot To Trot has been a revelation for owner Mary Kane. The gutsy little mare took time to learn the racing game but she certainly is rocking at the moment.

They also led all the way to beat the useful Cyclone de Couriere (Dan McAteer) in the D to F grade trot.

Match

The two-year-old pacing Black Horse race was a match. Jamie Hurley trained both runners but it was his friend Eoin Murphy who took the honours as Benny The Legend beat Down By Crecora.

Arts Princess, owned by the Coreys and driven by Alan Wallace, had the pleasure of a walkover in the three-year-old fillies. She must be showing something as the owners have supplemented her for Tir Prince also.

Racing resumes today at Annaghmore with the long established Ballabuidhe meeting to take place tomorrow and Monday in Dunmanway.

The Irish sponsored Delaney Memorial is on August 12th and 13th in Rhyl, North Wales.

Results, race cards and information can be found at www.Irishharnessracing.com. Race replays are on IHRA Facebook page.