The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Abbeydorney meeting produces two exciting Trial Stake winners
ABBEYDORNEY Coursing Club served up a top class meeting at Droumcunnig last weekend provided two exciting Trial Stake winners that will head to the National meeting with high expectations.
Picture House (Mafi Magic/ Chevalto) really looked the part when claiming the Derby ticket for Ballyduff handler Tom Houlihan. From the off the January puppy caught the eye when scoring by three lengths against Sams Adam. The winner’s clocks improved round on round and following an eight-length win over Crafty Aldo at the quarter final stage, Picture House headed the market at 4/5 with four runners remaining in the Stake. He sported the white collar in the opening semi-final against Flyer Ryan and dominated the course showing terrific pace throughout to take the opening score by five lengths.
The second semi-final was a much closer affair as Winter Ice dug deep to withstand the challenge of Icebreaker in a buckle that hung in the balance for much of the buckle. Picture House was the short priced 1/4 favourite to score in the final with Winter Ice easy to back at 2/1. The latter came away smartly in the final and had the jolly on the back foot through the opening exchanges. However, once Picture House found his feet he was quickly back on terms and showed his trade mark turn of foot from halfway to pull a length clear of his rival which he nursed through to the opening score.
Jointly owned by Alex Horgan and trainer Tom Houlihan, the winner is one for the notebook and will no doubt be a leading contender for this season’s Classic.
Isteachagusamach (Adios Alonso/Tobar Na Molt) proved best in the Oaks qualifier for Ardfert owner Jonathon Best. The home-bred January pup was well supported in the long odds market and was ultra efficient through the opening two days of the 48 runner event. Just three runners survived through to finals day, with Isteachagusamach enjoying the luxury of a bye in the second semi-final.
The opening semi-final was contested between Big Sive and Killacolla Jojo. Big Sive was smartly away from slips to take an early led and the Mark Ryall trained runner pulled well clear of her rival on the rising ground to score by four lengths at the opening turn. Despite this success, Big Sive was the 6/4 outsider in the deciding course with Isteachagusamach as short as 1/3 to prevail. Once again Big Sive was first to show leaving slips, however her lead was short lived and Isteachagusamach began to exert her dominance on proceedings and quickly began to put daylight between the pair. The winner extended her advantage from halfway and a three-length advantage was recorded at the opening turn. The long stretch at Powerstown should bring out the best in this lady and she will relish the famous hill.
Johnny and Geraldine Doyle made the long trip from Woodsgift worthwhile when Long John Silver (Feelmypulse/Fire And Silver) landed the spoils in the Horgan Cup. The 6/4 long odds favourite easily progressed through the opening rounds, and following a four-length victory over Granard Breeze in the penultimate buckle he booked the red collar for the final against the Barrack Bruce. Long John Silver produced another dominant display in the deciding course and ran out a convincing four-length winner.
Another favourite to oblige was Please Marry me (Razor Ashmore/ Chubbys Havana) who bagged the points in the All Age Bitch Stake. Jointly owned by Jimmy Sweeney and John Mulcahy, the winner answered every question asked of her over the weekend and following a two-length semi-final victory over Bexhill Gigi she booked her final berth against Knockane Gracie. The latter was a big outside for the final largely due to her getting plenty work from a game hare following her semi-final victory over Onthesauce. Please Marry Me was dominant from the off in the deciding buckle and she ran away from her rival on the rising ground to claim the spoils by a four-length winning margin.
Headleys Alonso (Adios Alonso/Barrack Ellie) came from off the pace to land the Bill McCarthy Memorial Cup for Knocknagoshel owners Nick Cotter and John Walsh. Having been led for much of the buckle against Nowyourtalking, the winner rallied from halfway and challenged late on to claim half a length success.
The Scollard Memorial Cup went to Cuine Dusty (Mafi Magic/ Hey Dusty Dusty) who enjoyed a one length victory over Misty Nidge in the deciding course. The winner is owned by the Cuine Syndicate and trained by Edward O’Sullivan.
Mountain Queen (Blades Of Hope/ Mountain Meave) claimed the Working Members Stake with a two-length win over Fortwilliam Ash in the final. The winner is owned locally by Eileen Flaherty.
The Island Cup is the feature of a three-day card at Castleisland next weekend. The action gets underway on Saturday and has an 11am start on all three days.