WEST CORK, Ireland – This Sunday the Road Trotting action takes place in Skibbereen where the annual Memorial Day has become one of the biggest meetings on the Winter Tarmac racing season.
Already the crowds have flocked to the three race days already held.
Drimoleague , Durrus and Ballygurteen have already entertained bumper crowds and that should be echoed this coming Sunday .
The fixture also coincides with an annual tour of harness racing fans from Dublin ,Scotland ,Wales and England who have been travelling to "Skibbz" for over 25 years.
"Christmas is for the ladies and the kids but Skibbereen is for the men" explains Thomas Bennett who has been a stalwart at the fixture for many years.
A six race program is planned with cups dedicated to former trotting greats on offer for all races.
These include The Tim Cooper Kelleher Memorial in memory of the former trotting bookmaker whose son Tim Junior continues the business on the Cork circuit.
Paddy Kane and his son Jason from Dublin are also remembered with the large volume of Dublin visitors sponsoring their memorial race.
Jack Pat Collins , Micheal O Driscoll and Pat Hurley were all members of the Skibbereen Committee and though they have departed us will be fondly remembered with a cup honoring each of them fot three of the races.
A new addition this year is the Joe And Martin Bennett Memorial Cup.
The Bennett family have supported racing in West Cork for many years and Martin was a regular Skibb visitor until his death a few years ago.
So to the equine stars on display.
Maithi Buachaill unbeaten so far this year carries a 20 yard handicap against his old foe Rhyds Ponder in the grade A .
Tactician Du Lys an imported french trotter looks to make it four from four in the Grade B and already the talk on the street is his clash with the big boys in the Grade A when he joins them.
Saunders Paris is another with a 100% record and looks for another win in the Grade D.
IB Tweedy with wins in the Novice grade at Drimoleague and Ballygurteen moves to the grade E race where his unbeaten record will be tested by last weeks winner Hillside Mustang.
A lot to look forward to .The venue is located on The Marsh Road with ample parking at the Mart complex a 30 second walk from the course.
Action gets underway at 2 PM. Details of entries will be available on www.harnessracingcork.com