Annaghmore, Ireland – Much has been made in recent months in this internet column of the talents of the “Little People” with the Magical Powers ie the Loughrans of Omeath.
The skill of this stable in training and driving (quite often with average enough stock), was demonstrated yet again at Annaghmore Saturday 5th September when the yard, based on the Cooley Peninsula, took 3 of the 4 prizes on offer. Full marks also to Thomas Bennett, who predicted a big day for this stable in his programme notes.
Willsboro Jerry proved expensive to follow when based in Dublin, but made no mistake here. He was content to track Rhyds Premier (B Bassett) and when Jerry made his move, the gambled on Security Breech (N Quigley), back from a layoff, could not live with him. Jerry touched 2/1 in the market and won handily enough in 2.01.9. Saunders Casino (M Kane ) made good late progress for third.
In ‘Le Trot‘ Rubis de Loiron ran out the ‘ gagneur facile ‘ in a clocking of 3.14.8 for the mile and a half. Nice to see Trottin’ Joe Sheridan back in the sulky here, with a typical no holds barred drive aboard his own Simba des Jaques, which will come on for the run.
Saxo de Marancourt (S Kane )( disq ) gave away acres of ground with a bad break at the start and showed some turn of foot if Ger Kane can get him steadied. 5/4 to 4/6 was the business around the winner.
Loughran’s treble came in the highest grade pace on the card, the C, D and E Class, wherein he took Lakeview Rapido into an early lead.
The Cock o’ The North, Walter Stewart sat in the garden seat until the stretch where he produced Frisco Hold Up under typical Walter Stewart gentle persuasion, but it was all in vain as Martin Loughran had enough up his sleeve aboard Rapido to hold off the Coleraine man’s challenge. Lakeview Rapido must rank alongside President and Rhyds Boots as the most improved horses in Ireland this season. Official Timekeeper Jim Graham caught them in 2.01
It’s always nice to see a lesser known stable win a nice pot and such was the case when Brian O’Riordan’s Just For Fun took Race 1 in 2.03.
Lucky Cam ( G Dean ) finished like a train for second and looks a winner soon. The winner is unfashionably bred but, all the same, his dam goes back to the great No Nukes. Young Ryan Hanson came in for the catch drive and gave the son of Hilltop Hog a couple of deft smacks just when he needed it. Just For Fun is a strong boned full horse and is giving his first time owner a lot of fun.
All races on the card were for a trophy and these were generously sponsored by Tommy Beattie.
Racing resumes Saturday 19th September with an exciting new initiative, a Sale of STAGBI registered Standardbred at 12 Noon before racing at 3pm. What better Christmas present for the wife than a son of Jimmy Long or a nice His Alibi filly?
By Dan Carlin, for Harnesslink.com