WEST CORK, Ireland – Chris O'Reilly took the driving honours when driving a double on his home track in Drimoleague on Sunday.
O'Reilly is also is also a member of the Drimoleague Harness Racing Club who promoted the event as a fund raiser for Cancer Connect which provides transport for cancer patients to Cork Hospitals .
Lyons Stallone set the ball rolling for O'Reilly in the grade F & E Pace. This son of Silky Stallone took up the running from a number one draw and was never headed seeing off a late challenge from Armoured Bear to win by three lengths.
Later in the afternoon O'Reilly completed his brace on Rhyds Panachein the Grade D & C Pace. Again he employed front running tactics on this son of The One Night Pan .The Hitman joined issue with three furlongs remaining but Panache was never in any danger running out a three length winner.
"My horses have been running well enough but lady luck has nor been on my side but I got a few breaks today and it keeps the show on the road, " said Chris, who last December became the first West Cork driver to win on US soil in Pompano Beach .
Two of the younger generation of drivers on the circuit were on the score sheet today.
Anthony Mc Carthy drove his first winner under rules on Fairdays Bret in the Grade F Pace. Ringo Lady and Mr Security had a battle royal for the opening two laps but McCarthy produced the winner on the run to the line and got the verdict by a length from Mr Security with Ringo Lady a head futher back in third.
John O'Mahony gave Un Boss a peach of a drive in the Le Trot race for French Trotters.
Teenager O'Mahony was quick off the gate and when his rivals lost ground he kept this nine year old at his game and was flattering his rivals with four lengths in hand at the wire.
The top Grade Grade B & A Pace had only three runners but it turned out a fantastic renewal.
Kestrels Dot Sammy took over from Sunnyside Kildare after a furlong. Normally these small field races tun into Cat and Mouse tactics but not this one. George Deane Memorial winner Hail Spartacus when to war with the leader and Sunnyside Kildare likewise . With two furlongs remaining Hail Spartacus looked a winner but Kieran Sheehy on Kestrels Dot Sammy had a little left in the locker and won by two lengths.
Racing opened with a win for the Jennings family with their home bred Heather Breeze. Sam Jennings hit the front with this son of Best sunshine to win by four lengths.
Next week the action moves to Lisangle with racing on Saturday evening having a 3.30 Start Time.
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
GRADE G & G1 PACE The Acorn Life Shield
1st S Jennings HEATHER BREEZE Owner
2nd O'Mahony / O Brien FAME EARNED J O MahonyTJ
3rd O'Farrell MEADOWBRANCH MATT P Hill
DIST 4l 10l TIME 2.21.7 5 Ran
1st O'Reilly/ O Driscoll LYONS STALLONE C O Reilly
2nd J Boyle ARMOURED BEAR Owner
3rd M Healy BRYWINS STARSHIP Owner
DIST 3l 2l TIME 2.20.0 5 Ran
1st J O'Mahony UN BOSS J O'Mahony
2nd Inishford Syn SILVANO BELLO T Murphy
3rd D Finn ALINEKA DARCHE D Murphy
DIST 4l 10l TIME 3.25.1 4 Ran
1st C O'Reilly RHYDS PANACHE Owner
2nd J Hill THE HITMAN M Goggin Jnr
3rd Hegarty/Hurley MAITHA BUACHAILL J Hurley
TIME 2.19.1 6 Ran