Cooraclare in slips for top-class stakes

WITH Ocean Tolula, Omera and Job Done in the line-up, the South Clare All-Age Bitch stake promises to be a fairly lively affair at the South Clare coursing meeting at Cooraclare over the Christmas holiday period.
Reaching  the last four in the Oaks in Clonmel last season, Ocean Tolula has been in good form this season, winning the cup at the Killimer-Kilrush meeting for Tom Fitzgerald, the Parteen-based owner and trainer.
Owned in Newcastle West by members of the Dream On Syndicate, Omera was withdrawn from the semi-finals in Miltown Malbay, was beaten in the Ballyduff final and her most recent outing  was at Ennis-Clarecastle fixture where she was the money-on favourite at the semi-finals. However, she went out at this stage to the eventual winner, the Sixmilebridge-owned Oileán Mystic.
After succeeding at Tradaree, young Cathal Meaney from Cooraclare will be hoping to succeed on home ground to add another cup to his collection with the Pat Curtin-trained Job Done.
Bookmaker Dinnt Gould makes Ocean Tolula the 6/4 favourite with Omera and Job Done at 5/2. Other prices are 4/1 Summerfield Bex, Delightful Mark, 5/1 Windfarm Swift, 6/11 Shaneboy Jazz, Leigh Countess, 8/1 Cillowen Rhythm Woodpark Blaze, Gifted Miss, 10/1 Clogher Road, Dalcash Sarah, Fawn of Inagh, Drimeen Mariner, 12/1 Pixie Lou Lou.
Coming to Cooraclare with good credentials for a tilt at the South Clare Cup for all-age dogs are Brannig Riobamba and Re Me Martin.
Owned in Ballyduff by Jamie Allen, Brannig Riobamba went to the semi-final in Kilflynn before beating There Goes Jojo in the Miltown Malbay final.
Last season, the Gerry Holian-trained  Re Me Martin won the TA Morris stake at the national meeting for the DMDH syndicate from Kilmallock. This season, he reached the semi-finals in New Ross and was beaten in the Limerick City final.
A 9/2 chance is Donnellan’s Cross,  who won  the reserve Derby trial stake at the  Ennis-Clarecastle meeting. Owner, Mary Grace, Shannon, is another hoping for a win on home ground as she is the former Mary Donnellan from Cooraclare.
Other prices are 6/1 Kilbeacanty Hill, Aristo Prince, Venture Out, 8/1 Corheen Guest Disruptive Guest, Freddie’s Dream, 10/1 Him Over here, Mayor Impact Scattery Harry, Denham Matt, Upourdat Lismadine Jack, 20/1 Clonreddan Sam.
With the reserve dog trial stake and two members’ stakes on the card, this popular holiday-time fixture promises to provide plenty of sport over the two days.
For the first time ever, there will be a lady judge officiating, Orla Farrelly, with the usual slipper, Richie Quinn.
Coursing gets underway on Monday and Tuesday at 11.30am.
The full draw, made in the Own Pride premises Cooraclare, on Monday night, is:

Oaks trial stake (32 bitch puppies).
First quarter: Parker Megan v Kineilty Orbsen; Tullabrack Steel v Breska Sam; Missing Bex v She’s All Talk; Leigh Swallow v Gold Lady.
Second quarter: Ashtown Smurf v Another Diva; Swanky Rihanna v Scattery Rose; Jeru Melody v Las Elbac; Shandangan Laura v Spins House.
Third quarter: Careful Holly v Straight Diva; Wood Kylie v Refund; Wine for Shine v Gort na Null; Clonfeigh Jewel v Misty Leader.
Fourth quarter: Dunsallagh Lisa v Liam’s Mac; Tip the Blaze v Brickhill Rose; Missing Blonde v Mayor Rebel; Ler Maggie v Drominboy Sarah. Reserves (a) Clune Rose (b) Swedish Birgitta.
Reserve Derby Trial Stake (16-dog puppies).
Top half: Algapan Boy v Wood Hyland; Scattery Rebel v Steve’s Duke; Forever Legend v Shaneboy Alley; Janey All Star v Woodpark Dreamer.
Bottom half: So Be v Cry After Dawn; Derrylough Sea v Fisherman’s Eoin; Burnpark Alfie v Rivermount Joe; Kayla’s Jacko v Elm Park Road. Reserve Ballyrua.
South Clare Cup (16 all-age dogs).
Top half: Kilbeacanty Hill v Him Over There; Aristo Prince v Mayor Impact; Re Me Martin v Donnellan’s Cross(p); Corheen Guest v Scattery Harry.
Bottom half: Clonreddan Sam v Denham Matt; Upourdat v Brannig Riobamba; Disruptive Guest v Freddie’s Dream; Lismadine Jack v Venture Out. Reserves (a) Roger Crystal (b) Scattery Bex.
South Clare All-Age Bitch Stake (16).
Top half: Job Done v Clogher Road; Cillowen Rhythm v Pixie Lou Lou; Leigh Countess v Dalcash Sarah; Omera v Summerfield Bex.
Bottom half: Drimeen Mariner v Delightful Mark; Windfarm Swift v Fawn of Inagh; Woodpark Blaze v Gifted Miss; Shaneboy Jazz v Ocean Tolula. Reserves (a) Lively Blonde (b) Rock Music.

Members’ Stake (eight two-course dogs).
Kilcorcoran Dan v Wheeler’s Wonder; Pat Be Slick v Lots of Boot; Knockdine Ash v The Boat Man; Chestnut Rock v Lismadine Daire. Reserves (a) Destroyer (b) Hidden Jester.
Working Members’ Stake (12 one-course dogs and bitches, confined). Clonreddan Jet v Speed Tramp; Doonbeg Melody v Ivory Rock; Low Hyland v Good Slick; Mr Boss v In Bound; Burnpark Cheryl v Fishermans Diva; Hilltop Flyer v Pass Siena.
Order of running: Monday, start with and twice through Oaks and once through Reserve Derby, All-Age Bitch and South Clare Cup. Tuesday, start with Workers’ Stake, Members’ Stake, Oaks, Reserve Derby and complete card.