Insidelane

LAST week’s Tuesday SIS session at the Oakview venue saw new time ratings come into force for 325yds and 525yds (plus, one supposes, for 500yds, 550yds, 570yds and 750yds). From this onwards, all 325yds races will be rated .05 slow and all 525yds races will be rated .10 slow.

It meant that the fastest 525yds winner at last Tuesday’s SIS meeting, the Anthony Slattery-trained Sign On Aki, was clocking 28.99 instead of 29.99. This was just his four th race and, after winning a week previously by six lengths in 29.40 and taking a jump of three grades, it was quite something by him to improve by 51 spots, or more than seven lengths – and enjoy a winning margin this time of ten lengths.

Earlier in the session, a litter brother to none other than Clonbrien Hero won over the sprint distance. That was Village Hero, formerly known as Clonbrien Champ and which, in winning by three-quar ters of a length in 17.82 (.05 slow), was bringing his career earnings from four teen star ts (and two victories) to €878.

Clonbrien Hero, in very sharp contrast, has won €104,278 and that shows that there can be an awful lot of luck when it comes to acquiring a pup from the same litter. Just ask Neily Nolan!

Other winners at last week’s Tuesday SIS session: Lassinagh Rebel, 29.35; Coom Twins, 29.58; Joe Blackie, 17.77; Pony Anna, 29.36; Decorated, 29.02; Hobo Jack, 29.17; Space Ghetto, 29.03; Manhattan Elvis, 29.37.

CASTLEISLAND trainer, Johnny O’Sullivan, has qualified both Native Chimes and Howth Head for the semifinals of the Irish Independent Laurels (winner, €30,000) at Curraheen Park this Saturday night.

Native Chimes ran yet another blinder last Saturday night to finish a close second to Rockybay Foley in the third quar ter-final in 28.38 (.10 fast) and he runs from trap 5 in the first semi-final, while Howth Head, which finished third in the first quar ter-final behind Kilmacdonagh in 28.41, runs from trap 4 in the second semi-final.

Nice Mystery, formerly owned by Mrs Anne O’Connor, of Ballyheigue, who is also the breeder, won the four th quar terfinal in 28.71 and she runs from trap 6 in the first semi-final.

Great to see the Kerry involvement so very much alive in such a high profile classic.

At Shelbourne Park, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Arminta qualified for the final of the Champion Sweepstake (winner, €7,500) and she runs from trap 3 in the final this Saturday night.

The very best of luck to her, too. THERE was deep regret last week at news of the death of Jack O’Rourke, of Abbeyfeale. They just don’t come any finer than this guy and what he accomplished for coursing in par ticular, as a front man in the spor t and as an innovator, was just gigantic.

It was very much an honour to have known and befriended him. THE Saturday afternoon SIS meetings at Tralee Track are to be moved to Sunday evenings from August, with the first race at 6 o’clock.