WEST CORK, Ireland – Seamus Quill took the driving honours when recording two winners at the Corn Field Oval in Manch on Sunday.
Va Reine Du Pont kicked off the brace for the Kenmare based reinsman.
Blanpain Le Fol and last weeks winner Cupidon De Breteil made the running in the mile and a quarter trot.
With four furlongs to trot Quill gave the winner the office and led the field.Turning for home the field began to close in but Va Reine Du Pont held on from Valiant Forgion in a blanket finish.
Quill completed the double in the next a grade F E & D Pace.
King Wills Arrival followed up on his win on the beach last week getting home a length in front of Fairdays Bret with Lyons Stallone a futher half back in third .
Racing opened with a very smart performance from newcomer Earnies Umpire .Coalford Bruce made the running but Matt O Reilly took it up after the opening half mile and won in a manner that would suggest that a bright career is in front of him.
This three year old son of Earned Income and Elizabeth Ann holds entries in both the Barney Joyce Memorial and the Oakwood Stud three year old grass pacing Championship and was bred by Tadhg O'Reilly.
Meadowbranch Demon now an 11 year old recorded his 40th career win in the top grade pace.
Cruise Howard led off the gate but was joined and passed by Rhyds Destiny in the opening half.
Heading out on the final circuit Mike Kelleher edged Demon closer and on the back straight hit the front. Cruise Howard put in a late rally but "The iron Horse" was not for catching.
"We normally wouldnt race him every week but he came out of his run in Inchydoney fine and we probably go for the free for all in Dundalk." commented winning driver Mike Kelleher.
Rhyds Heartbeat owned by Angela and Martin Hurley was a trap to line winner in the Grade D & C Pace.
On his home track, Donal Murphy set the winner alight early doors, and despite the best efforts of favourite Camden Corleone, this son of Hasty Hall was not going to be denied.
Next week the action moves to Dunmanway for the first of the big Summer handicaps. The George Deane Memorial in memory of the former president of the ITHRF is the first leg in the handicap "triple crown" on the West Cork circuit and will probably have three heats and a grand final with a full supporting programme.
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
GRADE G & G1 PACE
1st O'Reilly / Joyce EARNIES UMPIRE M O'Reilly
2nd J Shanahan COALFORD BRUCE M Kelleher
3rd S Jennings HEATHER BREEZE Owner
DIST 2l 3l TIME 2.05.7 8 Ran
1st F Quill Snr VA REINE DU PONT S Quill
2nd O Sullivan / Goggin VALIANT FORGION M Goggin Jnr
3rd J Shanahan CUPIDON DE BRETEIL M Kelleher
DIST SH 1/2l TIME 2.50.4 6 Ran
1st F Quill Snr KING WILLS ARRIVAL S Quill
2bd J Shanahan FAIRDAYS BRET M Kelleher
3rd O'Reilly / O Driscoll LYONS STALLONE C O'Reilly
DIST 1l 1/2l TIME 2.05.6 5 Ran
1st 1A & M Hurley RHYDS HEARTBEAT D Murphy
2nd O Reilly / Hurley CAMDEN CORLEONE M O Reilly
3rd J Hill THE HITMAN M Goggin Jnr
DIST 1/2L 1/2L TIME 2.07.8 5 Ran