The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry Abu claims Stephen Fuller Cup against the odds
KERRY Abu (Central City/ Sion Hawk) upset the odds in emphatic fashion to claim the Stephen Fuller Memorial Cup on the opening weekend of the coursing season at Kilflynn last Sunday.
In heavy underfoot conditions, the shocks came thick and fast over the opening rounds of the Cup with some high profile runners failing to make any impression. Long odds favourite Kyle Mozart went down to eventual runner-up Highland Hunter by two lengths in the opening buckle, while Chubbys Charmer, Tellmemorelies, Crafty Bogaloo and Hilark James all bowed out in round 2.
At All Times headed the market at odds of 6/4 with eight remaining and he looked well positioned to put together back to back Cup successes at the venue. Kerry Abu was the outsider of the remaining runners at 10/1 but he produced a gutsy display to get the better of Baleen Voyager in a ‘just-up’ decision to progress to a semi-final tussle with the jolly.
Kerry Abu produced a swift exit from slips against At All Times and remained on the path of a winding hare as they reached half way. At All Times never looked comfortable running off the red collar and he was making hard work of producing a challenge. Kerry Abu extended his advantage closing in on the opening turn and booked his place in the final course courtesy of a 2 ½ length winning margin.
His final opponent Highland Hunter, was causing a stir in the top half of the card and reached the deciding course with a half length win over Essential at the penultimate round. Highland Hunter was slips the 1/2 favourite in the final course and while he showed in front from slips, Kerry Abu rallied hard from halfway and fished with a powerful kick to secure victory by half a length.
The winner is owned and trained in Tralee by Sean Counihan.
Amys Angel (Thomas The Tank/Amys View) showed tremendous stamina to collect the opening Oaks ticket of the season for Ardfert handler, William Costello. Impressive throughout, she ran out a convincing sixlength winner against No More Tears to assure her place in the last four. She headed the market (evens) along with direct semi-final opponent Duarigle Debbie prior to the penultimate round.
A good burst of early pace proved decisive here, as the winner had Duarigle on the back foot from slips and stayed on gamely for a 1 ½ length success.
Kind Dancer failed to mount a challenge in the final as Amys Angel ran out a clear winner by 4 ½ lengths. The winner is jointly owned by delighted siblings Laura and Amy Costello.
The Reserve Derby Trial Stake also made its way to Ardfert as Eugene Costello joined his brother William in the winner’s enclosure with Mouseinthehouse (Razor Ashmore/Maggie Dan). Following a bye course in the quarter-final, the winner looked lively when defeating Wheresmymuzzle by three lengths to progress through to the final against the Bridget Leen trained Ballinvosherig. Both pups were quickly into stride in the final and were inseparable as the covered the rising ground. It wasn’t till the dying strides that Mouseinthehouse finally edged in front, but once he did he held on with vigour and took the flag by half a length.
The All Age Bitch Stake attracted an impressive line-up however the real eye-catching displays came from eventual winner Lineroad Lamar (Wallace Green/Class Attraction) who is owned and trained by Colette Regan, Causeway. The 12/1 outsider excelled with each round beating Kilcastle Five, Follow Ur Dreams and Kilty Sadie en route to the final course.
The Dan Lynch trained Isn’t She Lovely was sent to slips a warm favourite to claim the points and looked to be on the road to success following a lively start. However Lineroad began to move through the gears on the rising ground, moving effortlessly past her rival to take the opening score by four lengths. The winner looks well capable of adding to her points tally throughout the season and could well feature towards the business end of the current campaign.
Doon Albion (Kyle King/ Rovers Rebel) was a deserving winner of the three-course duffer for Mary Foley, Tralee. Having got the better of Slippy Leo at the semi-final stage by three lengths, a similar distance proved the winning margin in the deciding course against Moonveen Wonder. Sharkinthedark (Killimor Matey/Catchinscratcher) provided the Leen family of Ballymac with a winner on the card as he claimed the honours in the Patsy Byrne Memorial with a two-length win over My Girl Jodie.
Coursing this weekend kicks off on Friday morning in Glin with the Desmond Cup meeting getting underway at 11.30am with the opening round of the Derby Trial Stake. Ennis/Clarecastle has a similar starting time for their two-day meeting which gets underway on Saturday morning.