West Cork, IE – King Wills Arrival claimed another big handicap final when landing the West Cork Horse Owners Handicap at Dunmanway on Sunday.
There were three elimination heats with two qualifiers from each going forward to the final.
In the opening heat IB A Magician looked to have the race at his mercy but went off stride in the final eighth of a mile handing the race to Meadowbranch Matt with Best Talent filling the second qualifing spot.
Heat two was all about Coalford Bruce who followed up on his win at Bandon to lead home The Hitman by four lengths.
In the third and final heat Rhyds Panache with Chris O Reilly in the bike made a race winning move after four furlongs and was not for catching leading home King Wills Arrival by a length
So on to the final .The Hitman and Meadowbranch Matt set the early fractions with Coalford Bruce just behind .The order reamined the same into the final three furlongs of the mile and a quarter trip.Turning for home Coalford Bruce hit the front but Oisin Quill produced King Wills Arrival with a perfectly timed run to land the spoils .
"Since he had the wind operation last Winter he has really shown his true potential" Commented 16 year old winning driver Oisin Quill.
"The saddle race at Ladies day in Portmarnock is next on his list "added winning owner Finbarr Quill.
The Quills had a double on the day when Ariane Des Tithais landed the low grade trot .This one was driven by Finbarr Quill Jnr (The Calender Boy of Harness Racing in Ireland)
Vigo De Bassiere enhanced his reputation as Irelands leading Trotter with a faile win in the high grade trot.
Kieran Sheehy played with his three rivals taking up the running with three furlongs remaining and won by a flattering eight lengths .
The sheehy family have a long association with the square gaiters and this looks one of the best they have owned
Paul McInerney made the long trip from Co Clare a winning one when landing the Grade G & G1 Pace when Just A Promise a son of Fantastic Western set out his stall early doors and led home IB Felicity by three lengths.
Next week racing moves to Gloun with a 2.30 start
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
Race One Heat One . 1.Meadowbranch Matt L Kelleher 2. Best Talent S Jennings Jnr 3. Moorside Captain J O Mahony DIST 2 3 TIME 2.36.1
Race Two Heat Two 1. Coalford Bruce T O Leary 2. The Hitman M Goggin Jnr 3. Rebel Rouser D Murphy DIST 4 1 TIME 2.35.3
Race Three Heat Three 1. Rhyds Panache C O Reilly 2. King Wills Arrival O Quill 3. Hail Spartacus P Hill DIST 1 3 TIME 3.34.5
Race Four 1. Ariane Des Tithais F Quill Jnr 2. Vallanzana S Quill 3. Silvano Bello D Murphy DIST 2 7 TIME 3.16
Race Five 1. Just A Promise P McInerney 2. IB Felicity D Murphy 3. Coalford Laurel M O Reilly DIST 3 SH TIME 2.39.7
Race Six 1. Vigo De Bassiere K Sheehy 2. Tarnao Josselyn S Quill 3. Tenor Meslos D Murphy DIST 8 6 TIME 3.09.7
Race Seven Final 1.King Wills Arriva O Quill 2. Coalford Bruce T O Leary 3. The Hitman M Goggin Jnr DIST 1 4 TIME 2 33.5