Redzer Green claims Horgan Cup in Abbeydorney

REDZER Green (Wallace Green/ Intervention) got his All Age career off to the best possible start with victory in the Horgan Cup at Abbeydorney last weekend.

A Trial Stake winner at Milltown Malbay last term, he opened his account with a two-length win over Southern Spring to progress to the last eight. Priced at 3/1 long-odds on Sunday morning, he easily accounted for Sundays King to set up a semi-final clash against the Denis Curtain owned Time James. While the latter battled hard to gain the edge throughout the buckle, Redzer Green pulled a length clear when it mattered most to secure the white collar in the deciding course. Nemos Django emerged from the top half of the draw following wins over Waymore Class (1l), Tory Hill Denzel (½ l) and received a bye at the semi-final stage following the withdrawal of Bodens Rocket who was on the receiving end of a hard hunt following his narrow quarter-final win over long odds favourite At All Times.

Redzer Green was sent to slips a warm favourite in the final and following a quick exit he raced two lengths clear of a tiring Nemo Django. The winner is jointly owned by local handler Brendan Maunsell and Pat Reddan from Killaloe.

The Oaks Trial Stake got underway on Friday with 64 bitches going to post but just four remained in the hunt for the elusive Classic ticket by finals day. Nickies Betty (Mafi Magic/ Bridewell Rose) was the even money favourite but faced a tricky assignment against semi-final opponent Crushers Angel, a 6/4 shot for outright honours. Nickies Betty showed good early foot to lead her rival on the rising ground and she extended her advantage to a length by the opening score.

Amys Jackpot took the flag in the second semi-final with a twolength success over Shes With Us.

Nickies Betty, who is jointly owned by Listowel’s John McCarthy and handler Brian O’Brien, was a warm favourite to collect in the final course and an explosive burst of early pace proved decisive as she led her rival on the rising ground. Amys was battling hard to get back into contention, but she was no match for the game Nickies Betty who extended her advantage to two lengths by the opening turn.

The winner looks a lively Classic contender, and her current odds of 20/1 may well look generous closer to the event.

WiseGuy Mark (Mafi Magic/ Big Maggie) came out on top in hotly contested Derby Trial Stake for Lixnaw’s Paudie Lyons. The 5/2 second favourite with 8 remaining, the February pup easily progressed to the final with wins over Blamethesideline (1½l) and Redzer Rocky (2½ l) respectively.

Smearla Dresden emerged from the bottom half of the draw but looked up against it in the final against Wiseguy Mark who was sent to slips a ‘4s on’ shot. To his credit, Smearla Dresden showed in front through the opening strides; however the jolly was quickly back on terms and raced clear on the rising ground to open a two-length advantage at the turn.

The winner looks a capable performer and will not be found wanting on the testing Powerstown incline. He enters the Derby market at odds of 25/1.

Cree Gaisce (Kyle James/ Gaisce Mor) claimed the points in the All Age Bitch Stake final following a two-length success over Gertwo in the deciding buckle.

Trained in Tarbert by Patrick O’Connor, the winner was always in control in the final and ran out a convincing winner. The winner is owned by Tara McCarthy from Milltown Malbay.

Finally, Cutting Edge (Mafi Magic/ Beautys Grace) got the better off Luke The Bear by two lengths in the final of the Scollard Family Memorial Cup. The winner is owned by John Dennehy from Tralee.

The Bill McCarthy Memorial Cup made its way to Bantry following Why Tanyard Ace’s threelength win over Missing Minutes.

The local bragging rights were claimed by PJ Keane as Pony Dots (Thomas The Tank/Pony Link) proved too good for Ever So Magic in the final of the Working Members Stake.

Meanwhile, the Island Cup meeting at Castleisland is the highlight of a busy fixture list over the Bank Holiday weekend with the three-day meeting getting underway on Saturday with an 11am start.

Anthony O’Connell and Eileen Flaherty and ICC Secretary DJ Histon presenting the cup to PJ Keane and family after PJ’s dog Pony Dots won the Working Members Stakes at Abbeydorney Coursing last Sunday. Photo by David O’Sullivan

Anthony O’Connell presenting the cup to Brian O’Brien after his dog, Nickies Betty, won the Oaks Trial Stakes at Abbeydorney coursing last Sunday. Photo By David O’Sullivan

ICC Secretary DJ Histon pictured with the O’Sullivan family after they presented the Scollard Family Memorial cup to Jeremiah Dennehy after his dog, Cutting Edge, won at Abbeydorney last Sunday.