West Cork, IE – Oisin Quill, who will celebrate his 16th birthday next week, will have fond memories of the 2018 Ballineen Harness Races where he drove his first classic winner in his fledgling career, capturing the Tommy O'Brien Memorial Handicap final at "The Cornfield Oval " in Manch on Sunday with King Wills Arrival .
Hurry Up Abi set the early fractions from Brywins Starship and Saunders Picasso. Heading into the final half mile John Manning Jnr on Hurry Up Abi looked to have the measure of his rivals leading by four lengths, then.at the final quarter pole the pack began to close in and Oisin Quill produced the winner and sprinted clear to win by 3 lengths from Brywins Starship who had beaten him in the heat.
"We done an operation on his wind over the winter and that seems to have done the trick " said delighted owner Finbarr Quill.
It was a goood day for the Quill family from Kenmare in County Kerry as earlier Tarnao Josselyn took the top grade trot. Vigo De Bassiere despite trailing the gate 60 yards was all the rage in the betting after two wins but he found the winner too good .Tarnao won the "Clockwise " direction trot last week in Portmarnock.
"We have had some fun with this fellow and he is good going any direction" added Seamus Quill Two drivers drove doubles on the day.
John Manning Jnr took the first handicap heat on Hurry Up Abi and then won the second division of the Grade G & G1 pace on Cushenstown Rocky.
Luke Kelleher also drove a brace of winners .Meadowbranch Matt so often the bridesmaid went one better when today when taking the first section of the Grade G & G1 Pace. We made it two when "The Iron Horse" Meadowbranch Demon won the third heat in the handicap.
Brywins Starship landed some tidy wagers in the second heat of the handicap under the reins of Richard Kingston .
With all the young drivers winning (Quill Kelleher and Kingston) Donal Murphy had the honor of being the oldest winning driver on the day when taking the low grade trot on the ageless Silvano Bello
When informed of this Murphy replied "There aint too may grey hairs on my head but these youngsters are ensuring a good future for the sport"
The Ballineen Committee must be congratulated on another outstanding day .
Next week the action moves to Fishers Cross a venue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
Race One . 1. Meadowbranch Matt L Kelleher 2. IB Felicity D Murphy 3. Moorside Captain J O Mahony DIST 3 2 TIME 2.07.0
Race Two (Heat 1) 1. Hurry Up Abi J Manning Jnr 2. Saunders Picasso M Goggin Jnr 3. Best Talent S Jennings DIST 4 4 TIME 2.03.1
Race Three (Heat 2) 1. Brywins starship R Kingston 2. King Wills Arrival O Quill 3. The Hitman M Goggin Jnr DIST SH 3 TIME 2.02.9
Race Four (Heat 3) 1. Meadowbranch Demon L Kelleher 2. Supreme Sunshine J Boyle 3. Hail Spartacus P Hill DIST 6 2 TIME 2.02.4
Race Five 1. Silvano Bello D Murphy 2. Ariane Des Tithais S Quill 3. Un Boss J O Mahony DIST 2 2 TIME 3.10.2
Race Six 1. Cushenstown Rocky J Manning Jnr 2.Sunnyside Unique D Murphy 3. Western Ocean L Kelleher DIST 5 2 TIME 2.06.1
Race Seven 1. Tarnao Josselyn S Quill 2. Vigo De Bassiere K Sheehy 3. Brutenor P Hill DIST 2 4 TIME 3.08.7
Race Eight (Final) 1.King Wills Arrival O Quill 2. Brywins Starship R Kingston 3 Hurry Up Abi J Manning Jnr DIST 4 1 TIME 2.04.1