Close finishes, close placings and a great atmosphere were the order of the day, as Cork began it's 2004 harness racing season in The Central Track on Sunday, May 2nd. Cork horses came out on top, as a large attendance of spectators looked on under the basking sunshine.
Fiasco, in Race-One, was the only Dublin-owned horse on the day asked to make his way for a presentation, after Billy Roche partnered the Alan Richardson owned horse home as 1/2Favourite in the Maiden Pace.
Race Two, the Maiden & Novice Pace, saw Patrick O'Driscoll's runner, Vyrnwy David, come home a head in-front of Carol and Michael Goggin's new purchase "V J". The winner in this went off at 6/1, while Tommy Doyle's Styler, who finished 2 lengths behind "VJ", was the evens-favourite.
Race Three, the Novice/Improver/Intermediate Race, saw the Jim O'Donovan trained "Bacehlor Boy", and driver John Sheehy, take the laurels a length ahead of Stars Rainbow, with Tadhg O'Reilly's "Mack's Direct" finishing strongly to take third place.
The placings in the fourth race, the 011-018, were dominated by Dublin horses, but again, the Cork-owned "Wheatley Harrier" with Martin Brickley in the driving-seat came home ahead of "The Optimist" and "Green Bow Tie".
Race Five, the 005-010 race, saw "You're The Man" cruise to the finish line in a seven-horse race, as "Mass Attack" and "Southlands Merlin" made up the placings.
In race six, another local Cork person, John Boyle, was victorious for the first time at The Central Track in his racing career as "The Orient Express", partnered by his owner, took the honours. The Ballygarvan runner, Torpedo, finish strongly in second-place as "Coalford Jet" fought bravely for third position.
The FREE FOR ALL Race, saw Major Harrier lead the pack in the opening stages, but the Adam Russell owned nine-year old failed to hold this position as "The Blue Fox", a new purchase for the Kelleher Brother's, took over the lead in the closing stages with Tadhg Murphy on board. "Denton John Joe" and "Magical" Choice" filled the minor placings.
In the 3 Year Old Race, the 1/5 Favourite John-Shanahan owned "Cam's Best" was never questioned, with the real fight being for second-place with Peter Hill's Hilltop Dreamer finished ahead of Kieran Connolly's "Direct Rocket".
The prestigious Laddie From Leap saddle-race attracted a field of seven runners, as Tim O'Leary - making his track debut - partnered the Derry McCarthy-owned "Bright Sun" home in this, with "Sharpe" and "Newtown Commander" finishing as a dead-heat in second place.