Annaghmore, Ireland – Walter Stewart's Frisco Hold Up has been knocking on the door in recent weeks and he finally got his head in front at Annaghmore Saturday 26th.
The ever popular Walter, Carmel and family sponsored the final to the tune of £1,000 and put up the Jimmy Stewart Cup named after Walter's late father. Lakeview Rapido ( M Loughran ) filled second, with Rhyds Boots ( B Roche ) coming off a massive trail in third. 2.01.2 was the official time.
In the earlier races it was a good day for the smaller stables. Firstly, Just For Fun continued his good run of form for owner Brian O' Riordan and driver Ryan Hanson. 2.00.8 was posted by the improving entire who seems to relish front running. Just For Fun is the only horse racing out of West Belfast at the moment, he clocks up his training miles on the country roads around Hannahstown. Cool Dragon ( M Loughran ) ran second with Cam VInny ( Ned Stafford ) in third.
The boys of Donegal came marching home, as the song says when D Holian, in only his second season as a fully fledged driver gave his own End Of The Line a lovely waiting drive to catch fellow Western runner Mc Elderry ( C Donnelly ) in the shadow of the post. Frisco Hold Up met with a few impediments in running but for which he'd gave been closer. Coincidentally this heat went exactly the same time as heat 1.
The Little People with the Magical Powers ( Loughrans, Omeath ) rarely go home without a winner and their Lakeview Rapido raced well to take Race 3 in 2.00.2. The much admired Camden Kofi
( C Kerrigan ) was a game second with Rhyds Boots ( B Roche ) was only beaten 3/4 length and a neck, so he paced a good time ' off his mark ' as the saying goes in these islands.
The mighty Meadowbranch Stud made a rare sortie North and were rewarded with a double. Usual stable first driver John Richardson ( JR ), the doyen of the current drivers, just produced the impeccably bred Meadowbranch Milli
( Kikicolt – Meadowbranch Gigolo ) on the line to deny Greg Dean aboard Lucky Cam, with the Garvagh based Security Breech in third. The time of 2.03.1 is well within the winner's capabilities.
It was money for old rope in the STAGBI broodmares race as the probable favourite Maid of The West was a non – runner as was the useful Coalford Silk. This left Talavary Jewel from the North County Dublin yard and the 2 Belfast mares Mahogany Montana
( K Corey ) and West End Dancer ( B Bassett ) as the line – up and this was the order of finish. Jewel, owned by her Welsh breeders, went 2.00.3 in what looked to be a good tightener for the upcoming Dundalk meeting.
JR also took a 3 runner ‘ non French Trot with Joe Sheridan’s Bizzy Butcher who claimed a notable scalp in the `shape of sub 2 minute trotter Yke Starlake, no longer in the care of the Porterstown establishment.
Murdock Bros' Viking du Layon won the 1 1/4 mile French Trot quite easily in 2.40. Sent on about his work early in proceedings by the competent Gavin Murdock Viking always looked the winner, although the 4/6 favourite gave his backers an anxious moment as he went momentarily off stride at the mile pole. Trottin' Joe Sheridan's Speed Barbes, built like a prize bill, responded well to the urging of Hopper Foran in second while Record Dream ( W Flanagan ) will strip fitter at Dundalk, where a good entry of Trotteurs Francais could well mean no punitive trails.
NISA ran their inaugural sale of trotters and pacers before racing commenced. Horses made humble money unfortunately, but the sale is a good start. The auction would have benefitted from a few more yearlings and 2 year olds – maybe this will come with time ?
Finally, there is much excitement about about the return of harness racing to Dundalk Stadium ( Sunday 27th September ). As every trainer in the country has been telling the owner ' Dundalk will suit him well ' the racing should be ultra competitive. Get there early, and support your local bookie.
by Dan Carlin, for Harnesslink