A 'BEST' SORT OF SEASON
This round-up of the 2004 ITHRF turf/track season, is, of necessity, somewhat truncated, as I missed quite a few meetings, including Ballabuidhe. There were a few free days early in summer, but we had Wexford to look forward to. Regrettably, there was no meeting from Caheragh, August 21st & 22nd, to the closer at Central Track on September 26th. Central Track on September 5th and 12th was cancelled due to Bantry Show and the All-Ireland Hurling final, while Connonagh, on the 19th, was lost to the weather.
Congratulations to successful defending champion driver, Tadhg Murphy, and to connections of equally successful defending turf/track horse of the year titleholder, The Blue Fox. And a big WELL DONE to Deirdre Goggin, new champion jockey. But it was John and Breda Shanahan's three-year-old that puts the 'BEST' in the season for me. Following his mishap at Appleby, Cam's Best went on to York and set a course record and an official UK record for a mile, any age, on a half-mile track. The West Cork-bred then won the fastest BHRC national pacing derby on record at Tir Prince and later, the heat and final of the Little Welsh Dragon at Tregaron. Great achievements and ones that the ITHRF is proud of. Not forgetting, either, the Kanes, trainer and driver -- a family whose support of Cork trotting has spanned three generations.
The season opened well, with Denton John Joe breaking the long-held record of Saunders Spirit, setting a new mark of 2.00.18 at Central Track, and Stoneriggs Wizard travelled to Wales and captured a handicap final there. At Dunmanway at the end of May, Newtown Commander , with Deirdre Goggin up, retained his All-Ireland Saddle Championship title, and the following week, stable-mate, The Blue Fox, won the Central Track Grand Prix, at the expense of Denton John Joe. In the middle of the season, the retirements of The Gallant Man and Perfect Dream were announced, and more about these veteran campaigners at a later date
WEXFORD: To me, this meeting was every bit as good as last year. ITHRF winners, Stoneriggs Wizard, Direct Glance, Coalford Jet, Bon Daniel and You Are The Man, are to be saluted, as well as the gallant runners-up.
ALL-IRELAND HARNESS CHAMPIONSHIP AT BALLINEEN: This final was one of the best I have ever seen (although weather conditions made viewing not easy). Heat winner, Coalford Jet sprinted to the front, while the other division winner, Ambro Lobell, missed the start completely. But the mare proved herself a true queen, coming off the back to just pip the front-runner. It was a true All-Ireland with the first four home representing, respectively, the North, Clare, Dublin and Cork.
Coalford Jet, to me, rates further mention. At Wexford, he won his qualifying race, defeating the mighty Scarlet & Gold, while in the final, he went down by a half-length to the mighty Ambro Lobell. As he did in the All-Ireland, and in a photo-finish, too. I don't think that Coalford Jet lost much, if anything, in two narrow-margin defeats by the queen of Irish pacing, who went on to achieve even more eclat.
CAHERAGH: A week after the All-Ireland, Caheragh, in the final of the Three-Year-Old Classic, provided another nail-biting finish, when Hillside Dream (by Perfect Dream) was just touched off by Ayr Strike.
Further mentions:
The Blue Fox his second "Turf/Track Horse Of The Year" Award. He won the Grand Prix at both Central Track and Ballabuidhe (as well as the Irish Trotting Cup saddle race at the latter). He was going for the elusive Triple Crown in the All-Ireland at Ballineen, but hated the going and failed to qualify. He went on to win the FFA at Caheragh, and clinched the title in the same at Central Track, when winning from Coalford Wizard and Denton John Joe.
Sable Decision had no trouble winning a poorly-subscribed Four Year Old Sires Stakes at Caheragh, while Destiny's Dream (by Cam Security) won the more competitive Three-Year-Old equivalent at Central Track.
Finally, while I have already mentioned what I consider two of the best finishes of the season in Cork, I would also have to add the Grade C & D Saddle at Clonakilty Show. Favourite, I'm No Fool and Master Fox were engaged in a neck-and-neck tussle on the straight. This duel provided an opening, through which rank outsider, Newtown Jate, with beginner, Maurice Ahern, in the plate, sprinted through for a long over-due win. Good one, Maurice.
IrishTrotting.com would like to thank Jackie for this roundup
