Drimoleague. August 16th 2009

A very good day, indeed. Hard to believe that there are those who want to abolish turf racing altogether! In these days when the so-called 'leisure spend" is shrinking anyway, and everyone wants more bang for their buck, I can hardly think of a better way to spend that buck than on an outing like Drimoleague. The children had a great time; the dog show was well supported; I didn't even get to see the tug-of-war or the Irish dancing, and had only a glance at the mouse racing. The barbeque was, as usual, divine and the music was great. And what about the harness racing? Well, horses for courses, and has been said often enough, they can't all be champions, although we saw a few today. Nor can harness racing be always about times for quarters, halfs, etc. It should also be about fun, and savouring a win when it doesn't always come one's way, and that was evident at Drimoleague. Well done to the committee, who seem to have put an extraordinary amount of effort into the organising.

• Open Handicap, Heat 1, Class 000 - 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's The Fireball (M. Kelleher), 2/5 fav; 2. P. Manning's Stella's Star (Owner), 3/1; 3. D. Ross's Cult Direct (J. McSweeney), 4/1. 5 ran, 2l, 6l. 2m.27secs. 4th, Ringo Star, 3/1. NR: Ship's Cruiser
• Fireball was always going to win this. Stella's Star led until the straight for home, when Fireball, who had moved into second, forged clear.

• Heat 2, Class 001/011 - 1. N. Forbes's George's Hero (J. McSweeney), 5/4 fav; 2. K. O'Connell's Midnight Mover (K. O'Conell), 4/1; 3. K. McCarthy's Slipalongtrevascus (D. O'Reilly), 5/2. 5 ran, 10l, 4l. 2m.24secs 4th, Rebecca's Baron, 6/1. NR Matty O
• Slip was in charge until the back straight for the last time, when Hero, who had always been in touch, took it up.

• Heat 3, Class 013/026 - 1. J. Burchill/D. O'Donoghue's Glenarn Harrier (S. Newman), 5/4; 2. S. Foran's Shotgun Willy (Noreen McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 3. C. O'Sullivan's Travis (D. McCarthy), 5/1. 5 ran, 2 1/2l, 4l. 2m.23secs. 4th, Snatch, 5/1. NR: Spanko's Boy
• Travis was first to show but Harrier soon took command. Willy moved into second on the backstraight as they headed for the penultimate bend.

• Maidens - 1. M. Healy's Red Jackpot (J. McSweeney), 3/1; 2. T. O'Leary's Tim's Surprise (D. McCarthy), 6/4; 3. T. O'Reilly's Top Security (Owner), 4/1. 6 ran, 1/2l, 6l.
• 2m.30secs. 4th, Lakeview Demolition, 1/1 fav;
• Tim led as they went into the last lap. Red then challenged and getting into it, went head to head briefly with Red finally prevailing.

• Maiden/Novice - 1. P. Hill's Hillside Hi-Ho (P. Hill), 3/1; 2. J. Hurley's Hilton's Sprinter (T. O'Reilly), 6/4 fav; 3. DH between P. Hill's Roberta's Dream (Anne Hill), 2/1 and L. Evans's Faraway (M. Goggin), 4/1. 5 ran, 12l, 4l. 2m31secs NR: She's Got It, Harrier's Decision
• Hi-Ho deserved this one. Wilsboro Gold was first to show but Sprinter soon took it over. Going into the last, Hi-Ho was chasing Sprinter and forged clear getting into that.

• Novice (Joe O'Sullivan Cup) - 1. Duggan Bros's Sky Security (D. McCarthy), 2/1; 2. Deirdre Goggin's Teadies Best (M. Goggin), 4/1; 3. S. Crowley's One Cool Dude (N. McSweeney), 4/1. 7 ran, 4l, 1/2l. 2m.25secs 4th 4th, Oakwood Diamond, 4/5 fav.
• Best led for most. Diamond and Dude were in early contention. Sky started moving on the backstraight in the last circuit and overhauled Best as they entered the run-in.

• Improver/Intermediate (Duggan's Contractors Cup) - 1. B. Barry's Supreme Hall (Amy O'Reilly), 4/1; 2. Jenny Brickley's Ringo Kid (D. Brickley), 2/1; 3. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Meadowbranch Pan-Am (M. Kelleher), 1/2 fav. 6 ran, 5l, 2l. 2m.25secs, 4th, Watch Me Now Boys, 4/1 NR: Coalford Bigtimer
• Hall led just about from the start. Pan-Am tried but could not close, while Kid came with his usual late run.

• Open Handicap Final (Costcutter Perpetual Cup) - 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's The Fireball (M. Kelleher), 5/4 fav; 2. J. Burchill/D. O'Donoghue's Glenarn Harrier (S. Newman), 2/1; 3. P. Manning's Stella's Star (Owner), 6/1. 6 ran, 1 1/2l, 4l. 2m.21secs. 4th, George's Hero. AR: Shotgun Willy, Midnight Mover
• Fireball led from flagfall. Harrier vied early on and tried hard throughout, and really, lost nothing in this defeat. Stella's Star looks one to watch.

• Free-For-All (James O'Driscoll Memorial Cup) - 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Flashdance (M. Kelleher), 2/1; 2. S. Quill's Stoneriggs Wizard (T. Murphy), 8/1; 3. J. Burchill/D. O'Donoghue's Porterstown Jack (M. Goggin), 2/5 fav. 5 ran, 2 1/2l, 2l. 2m.20secs 4th, Dragon's Glory. AR: Springfield Chief. NR Destiny's Dream
• Flash was in charge from the start. Jack challenged early, and gave a skip on the third bend. Springfield Chief was also prominent in the early stages. Jack never looked happy on the going and worked hard. Flash never seems to mind any surface, challenge or distance. Good to see The Wiz getting back his form.

• Grade C & D Saddle (Catherine and Timothy O'Reilly Perpetual Cup) - 1. F. Hurley/T. O'Reilly's Calm Louis (J. O'Reilly), 2/5 fav; 2. J. Manning's Rocket Express (Lucy Kelleher), 5/2; 3. T. O'Reilly's Stan The Man (M. O'Reily), 5/1. 7 ran, 2l, 6l. 2m.23secs 4th, Sable Decision, 5/1.
• Rocket held sway until Louis decided to get going. Louis won easily enough, although not by his usual wide margin, which doesn't mean anything.. Nice one by Rocket, while Stan also raced well.

• Apprentices - 1. D. McCarthy's Mr. Dow Jones (J. O'Driscoll); 2. Quill Bros's Sable Decision (S. Quill); 3. T. O'Reilly's Stan The Man (M. O'Reilly); 4. M. Williamson's Oakwood Regal (Tracy Roche).
• Well done all drivers