The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry success at Irish Cup coursing meeting
WATCHMAN (NewInn Wonder/ Bossa Nova Babe) claimed the final flag of the season to land the coveted Irish Cup at Greenmount Racecourse last weekend.
Trained in Ballydoyle by Kevin Barry, Watchman came into the event on the back of a disappointing Derby at Powerstown. He again had connections on tender hooks in the opening course on friday when he appeared to lose sight of his hare at halfway, however he produced a devastating turn of foot from halfway to claim the opening score and thereafter grew in stature as the competition progressed.
Priced 6/4 at the quarter-final stage, Watchman posted the quickest clock of the meeting when defeating Ask charles oliver by five lengths. His semi-final buckle against Jamess Treasure was without doubt the course of the meeting with the result in the melting pot right up to the opening turn.
A ‘judge’s decision’ resulted in Watchman claiming the red collar for the final course. Always Inthe Run progressed from the bottom of the draw to ensure that it would be two of this season’s puppies contesting the deciding course. Watchman was installed the warm 1/3 favourite for honours and he duly obliged with a dominant display throughout and took the opening score by a comfortable four lengths.
There was an upset in the final of the Bill Chawke Irish Plate as victory went to the 6/4 outsider for the course, Clash Bruno (Timber House/ Moat Anah). Rosskeen Colonel was well fancied for success however he surrender early ground to his rival and never looked comfortable throughout. Trained by Ian Murray, the winner was ultra impressive and a fourlength winning margin was a true reflection of his dominance.
Choose your weapon (Thomas The Tank/ Nedham Beauty) was the only second season runner to claim silverware at the meeting when winning the final of the Woodlands House Hotel Irish Purse. He justified favouritism in the final when producing a dominate display to defeat Bagsy The Front by 3 ½ lengths. The winner was nominated by Mick Spillane from Fossa.
The Patsy Byrne All Age Bitch Stake was also claimed by one of this seasons youngsters as Mad Decision (Timber House/ Mad Moment) put her Oaks disappointment behind her to win out in this ultra competitive Stake. Trained by Pat Curtain, Mad Decision went to slips for the final as the 1/3 favourite against Jamaica Judy. The winner broke slips smartly to make all the early running. Well in control at the midpoint, the winner did see her advantage diminish late on the course. However the end result never looked in doubt and the Windfarm Syndicate owned bitch took the flag by a half length winning margin.
The loudest applause of the day was reserved for the final of the Earl of Dunraven Kilgobbin Puppy Stake when Lawlee Four (Adios Alonso/Why Tanyardpenny) claimed a famous victory running in the colours of the late Mick Lawlee from Listowel. Coursing lost one of its greatest characters when Mick passed away just a couple of days after the National Meeting. A testament to his popularity was the fact that his greyhound was cheered to victory on Sunday last by coursing folk from the four corners of the country.
The Dan Brassil trained runner was the outsider in the final against kennel companion Rockanes Steel, however a terrific burst of early pace propelled Lawlee Four to the fore early in the course. He extended his advantage with every stride to halfway and while Rockanes did reduce the deficit late on, the winner never looked troubled en route to a 1 length success.
The Champion Working Members Stake was won by the CountyKerry Club winner, Lisloose Wonder (NewInn Wonder/ Lisloose Accord). She went to slips in the final against the Ballyheigue representative Gracor Tank and the winner put the course to bed early as she raced clear of her rival and ran out a comfortable 4 winner. Jointly owned by Seamus Begley and Liam Lynch, Lisloose Wonder would have begun the season in the capable hands of the late great Johnny Carroll, and the great man would have been extremely proud to see his son Anthony lead her into the winners enclosure at Patrickswell.