Dublin, Ireland – The Anglo-Ireland Inter Dominion series heated up at Portmarnock Raceway on Saturday when Brywinsmagicpotion stormed home to beat heat one winner Meadowbranch DJ by a neck in gritty fashion. The time of the race was 1:56, setting the all-age track record as the fastest mile ever at Portmarnock.
British pacer Brywinsmagicpotion, who was luckless behind Meadowbranch DJ in the first UK/Ireland Inter Dominion heat at York, reversed that decision at Portmarnock, taking advantage of a speed duel between DJ and his Irish compatriot Sepia Sands.
As the only trailer from the second line, Brywins was quickly angled behind leader Sepia Sands with DJ parked in the breeze, overcame a gallant Meadowbranch DJ in the closing stages
Six runners started the second round of the series, but it was the first two home from the previous round that battled it out over the 1600m distance. The pair drew well clear with Meadowbranch Romeo taking third and Saunders Mach 3 fourth, the same positions they filled at York in leg one.
Ideally drawn on the inside, Brywinsmagicpotion held his position throughout the race sitting second or third behind early leader Sepia Sands. Unlike the winner, Meadowbranch DJ had a tough trip being forced to come right around the field to gain to the lead which he didn't manage to achieve until there was only half a lap to go. It was a complete role reversal from stage one and this showed in their finishing positions, suggesting how close in ability these two pacers are.
The sectionals tell the story – a scorching first stanza of 26.7 and half in 56 saw the rest of the field struggling to keep up and when DJ gave the leader the go by in the back straight, Alan Haythornthwaite (who represented the UK in Australia in 1999) had his charge poised to challenge as they turned for home.
This was a wonderful result for connections of Brywinsmagicpotion, whose owner James Gammie only has one horse in training. After the race, driver Alan Haythornthwaite said "It's absolutely fantastic this series. It's been a great booster to our racing over here. The dream's still alive, which is exactly what it is; a dream to us."
Two track records set in the first two heats, so now all eyes turn to York next Saturday over the mile and a quarter with the final heat over a mile and a half at Portmarnock at the big Vincent Delaney Carnival a week later.
Leaderboard – Meadowbranch DJ, Brywinsmagicpotion – 14, Meadowbranch Romeo – 8, Saunders Mach3 – 4, Wellfield Official, Sepia Sands – 2, Astounding, Rhyds Destiny – 1.
The series looks set for a terrific duel between Brywinsmagicpotion and Meadowbranch DJ with both on 16 points at the half way stage. The nearest pursuer, who has filled third spot in both races, is Meadowbranch Romeo on 8 points.
The third stage of the series will be run over 2000m at York Harness Raceway on Saturday 1st August before the finale back at Portmarnock on Sunday 9th a week later.
The winning horse and trainer in the series will get an all-expense paid trip to Australia to compete in the Inter-Dominion Series.
Due to inclement weather, the final Vincent Delaney Memorial Prep for two-year-olds was postponed on Sunday and will be held next Sunday at Portmarnock.
Contributed by Michael Andrews and Bill Hutchison