WEST CORK, IR – The West Cork Harness Racing season, curtailed like all sporting events in the country, kicked off last Sunday in Dunmanway and the men making the headlines were from two different sides of the age scale
76 years "young "John Boyle still enjoys his sport and drove his own IB Felicity to victory.
Right of Redemption mad most of the running but with four furlongs to pace Boyle gave his charge the office and the pair ran out easy four length winner.
Boyle originally from Co Donegal but living in Cork for over 60 years was cheered home by all in attendance and is one of the most respected and likeable characters in the sport.
Oisin Quill at 17 years of age is one of the brightest stars in racing and he drove a double on the afternoon.
Firstly, on the trotter Vallanzana Quill had early tussles with Belkalinja and after winning that duo had to fend off the late challenge of the fast finishing Aubade A Hellene but had a comfortable three lengths in ghand at the line .
The brace of winners was completed aboard pacer Hail Spartacus in the Grade F Pace.
This son of Swingman has been a loyal servant to the Hill Family and as on shrewd judge said to me "Hes almost impossible to beat around here when in front and He Stays longer Than the Mother In Law".
Another young driver John O'Mahony got a great spin out of Dinah Washington in the Grade F Trot . Trained on the track he bided his time and won going away. Eoin Murphy had his first "public" drive here on Silvano Bello and the 15 year old looks destined to follow in the footsteps of his father Tadgh and uncle Donal both able reins men.
Rhyds Panache winner of last years Red John Memorial got back to winning ways in the opener.
Chris O'Reilly allowed his rivals to battle it out before creeping quietly to the front and won by 2 1/2 lengths.
IB Paddington another bred in the IB nursey in Baltimore looks to have a bright future. in only his third lifetime start he encountered a rouge passage but stayed on to beat Moorside Myra by a 1/4 length. He holds entries in all the major three year old stakes races.
Rhyds Destiny has lost none of his appetite for racing and was seen to good effect in the top grade pace .Coalford Bruce led for most of the journey but Timmy O'Leary had all moves covered and was never in danger. Bella Despana made every yard of the running in the Grade F Trot and held on for a deserved victory for driver Luke Kelleher.
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
Race 1: Grade F / E Pace:
1st: Rhyds Panache, C. O' Reilly.
2nd: Two Left Feet, J. Hurley.
3rd: Fairdays Bret, A. Mc Carthy.
Time: 2.29.5 DIST 2 1/2L 10 1/2L
Race 2: Grade G / G1 Pace Div 1:
1st: IB Paddington, D. Murphy.
2nd: Mooreside Myra, S. Kane.
3rd: Pan Cam Income, L. Kelleher.
Time: 2.33.3 DIST 1/4L 4 1/4L
Race 3: Trot Grade F:
1st: Dinah Washington, J. O' Mahony.
2nd: Vaillant Forgion, J. Hurley.
3rd: Silvano Bello, E. Murphy.
Time 2.33.6 DIST 5L 1/2L
Race 4: Grade G / G1 Pace Div 2:
1st: IB Felicity, J. Boyle
2nd: Right Of Redemption, C. O' Reilly.
3rd: Meadowbranch Romance, C. O' Driscoll.
Time 2.31.6 DIST 6l 3l
Race 5: Trot Grade E / B.
1st: Vallanzana, O. Quill.
2nd: Aubade A Helene, P. Hill.
3rd: Belkalinja, D. Murphy.
Time 2.31.3 DIST 3l 3/4L
Race 6: Grade D – A1 Pace.
1st: Rhyds Destiny, T. O' Leary.
2nd: Coalford Bruce, D. Mc Carthy.
3rd: Tarawood CJ, P. Gilligan
Time 2.26.9 DIST 3L 3L.
Race 7: Grade F / E Trot.
1st: Bella D'Eespana, L. Kelleher.
2nd: Brutenor, P. Hill.
3rd: Epopee Du Layon, D. Murphy.
Time 2.34.1 DIST 3L 1L
Race 8: Grade F Pace.
1st: Hail Spartacus, O. Quill.
2nd: Earnies Umpire, J. Hurley.
3rd: Just a Promise, P. Mc Inerney.