Emperor Succeeds at Miltown Malbay

This was Miltown Malbay at its best. The hares and coursing were excellent, the weather was summer like over the weekend and the general opinion was this was the best ever meeting held at the Ballymakea Mor venue, Quilty.
Given good conditions, the forecasts for the fixture were good especially after first class trials the week before. Reports coming from the trials indicated that the hare stock was something special this year and with no deterioration in quality for the meeting proper, the scene was set for a great meeting. And that’s what it turned out to be.
From the Clare point of view the only disappointment was that only one of the major stakes stayed in the county, the Adios Alonso At Stud Derby trial stake (32) which went to the Gerry Holian-trained Aristo Emperor owned by the Aristo Gang syndicate whose members are Diarmuid and Eoin Garrahy, Clonlara and Louis and Aine O’Sullivan, Labsaheeda.
On the other hand it turned out to be a rewarding trip for the O’Driscoll family from Glanmire in Cork who brought off a great double, winning the all age bitch stake with Skellig Wave and the Oaks trial stake (32) with Skellig Time.
The hot pre-coursing favourite, Kyle Basil, did not put a foot wrong in taking the Miltown Malbay Cup for all age dogs (16). In the Limerick-Clare final, Kyle Basil, owned in Patrickswell by Mrs. Marie Field, overcame the challenge of Milesian Son, representing Patrick Conlon, Cree, in the final.
After beating Navins For Sure by one and a half lengths in a straight run in the opening round, Kyle Basil was now a 9/10 shot and in his next test he had two-and-half-lengths on the Sixmilebridge owned Ballycasey. Also through to the second day from the top half was Yougoigo, who came in as a reserve for the absent Clune Hyland and went on to beat Tarmac Bertie (three lengths) and Beyond Gaisce (two lengths).
Making progress in the bottom half were the West Clare owned Milesian Son and Upsetter. Sir Mark Prescott was the one fancied to emerge from this half with Moot Point and he started off well by disposing of Fishermans Scoby by one and a half lengths. Cillowen Noble was beaten two lengths by Milesian Son who then went on to cause one of the big upsets of the meeting when gaining the upperhand of Moot Point in round two. Holding a slight advantage all the way, he held out to get a just up decision. Below them, Upsetter, owned by Miltown Malbay native Pat Meade, survived for the second day with wins over Stay Focused and Windfam Eiscir.
Kyle Basil was again in flying form on the second day wining his semi-final tussle with Yougoigo by three lengths.
The winning distance was two lengths in the second semi-final, which saw Milesian Son see off the chances of Upsetter in the all West Clare clash.
From early on in the buckle, it was obvious that Kyle Basil was going to take some beating in the final and he duly raced on for a three lengths win over Milesian Son (Matt Hyland-Scattery Mac).
The two runners in the bottom of the draw, Aristo Roo and Cooga Ruby were non-runners in the Miltown Malbay all age bitch stake (16) for which Sir Mark Prescott’s Intense Focus (top half) and Skellig Wave (bottom half) were favourites.
Intense Focus came up against Prolific Artist in the opening round and won by a length in a straight run. However, she was withdrawn after this, giving a bye run in the second round to Jeru Eile who had earlier beaten Rosie Josie, also by a length.
The Ennistymon-owned Callura Chico, who just held out to survive the late effort from Lively Blonde in a first round buckle, also got through from the top half by eliminating the Inagh-owned Squid of Inagh who won this stake last year.
Skellig Wave was making no mistakes in the bottom half, first of all seeing off the hopes of the owners of Scholars Dilemma, winning by three lengths and then eliminating Gorforitmanic who came in from the reserves for a bye run in the first round.
The betting on Sunday morning was a 1/3 Skellig Wave, 6/4 Callura Chico, 4/1 Jeru Eile and Scattery Express.
The opening semi-final buckle was a very tight affair and in the close finish Jeru Eile survived for a just up win from the PJ Reynolds-owned Callura Chicho.
Skellig Wave booked her place in the final with a one length advantage over Scattery Express in a straight run. The beaten semi-finalist here is owned by the Scattery Syndicate members from Killimer.
In the final Skellig Wave (Matt Hyland-Rith Gan Gaisce) won the first turn by three lengths from her litter sister, Jeru Eile which is trained by John Browne and owned by Cree twin sisters Jenna and Ruth O’ Donoghue, whose father, Michael, is a well known member of the South Clare Coursing Club.
After two rounds of the Derby trial stake (32) on Saturday, the impressive Tynwald Star, trained by Michael O Donovan for Terry Corden of Tippereary Town, was the firm 4/6 favourite. Other prices were 2/1 Aristo Emperor, 5/2 Disruptive Guest and Freddys Dream, and 3/1 Tromora Bex, Forever West, Cillowen Bandit and Fishermans Toll.
The Coolmeen-owned Freddys Dream was the first of the winners in the quarter-final buckles but in closing in on the hare he tumbled over and was injured.
Aristo Emperor (three lengths) advanced at the expense of Forever West owned by the Ennis sydnicate of John Keane, Frank White ands Alan Troy.
Tynwald Stuart continued with a good two lengths win over Cillowen Bandit while the Clarecastle-owned Disruptive Guest captured the last semi-final slot by coming from behind and beating Fishermans Toll by two-lengths in a straight run.
The injured Freddys Dream was absent from the first semi-final giving a bye run to Aristo Emperor. There was no denying Tynwald Stuart in the second semi-final that he won by five lengths from Patrick Moloney’s Disruptive Guest.
At the halfway mark, Tynwald Stuart (Tullamore-Vacume Runaway) held the advantage in the final and looked the likely one to book his way to Clonmel. However, just as they came into the steep part of the climb, Aristo Emperor (Bexhill Eoin-Aristo Kid) hit a different gear and shot past the favourite to grab a three lengths win. The winner is also bred by Diarmúid and Eoin Ga
The O’Driscoll family from Glanmire scored the first part of their great double by winning the Oaks trial stake (32) with Skellig Time. Beaten in the semi-final in Glin, she went all the way on this occasion when getting the flag from Cooga Aoife in the final.
Skellig Time (Musical Time-Skellig Spring) was the pre-coursing favourite and after two rounds on the first day her odds were cut to 1/2.
In the top half of the card, Omera was also producing the goods and she was available at even money.
In the first quarter final buckle, Omera had a bye run through the absence of the Ferrybridge owned Have We Six; four lengths separated the winner, Cooga Aoife and Fawn of Inagh; Mariners Glen advanced at the expense of Scattery Diva and Skellig Time had three lengths on Clogher Road.
The first semi-final was an exciting one with very little between the pair. However, where it mattered most Cooga Aoife had a half length on Omera. There was more daylight between the two in the second semi-final, which resulted in a win for Skellig Time over the Mariners Glen (James Fennell, Carrigaholt and Sean Haugh, Spanish Point) who put in a good performance.
Leading all the way in the final, Skellig Time booked her passage to Clonmel with a three lengths win over Cooga Aoife (Dale Blue Boy-Positive Start) owned by Shane McLoughlin, Doon.
Inagh owner-trainer Noel Hehir also came away with a trophy after his Gifted Ivy Hill (Premier Fantsy-Ardera Gift) won the final of the Members Stake for 16 one course dogs and bitches.
In the final, he had two lengths on Amsterdam Kid (Trendy Leigh-Mona the Minx) trained by Stevie Murray for the Shanon Boys syndicate, Shannon. The beaten semi-finalists were Martin Keane’s Pro Bono and Knockdine Diva owned by Helen O’Brien, Knockbrack.
Well-known Miltown Malbay Coursing Club stalwart, Paddy Marrinan, was also among the winners. Cailin Oran (Murtys Blaze-Cillowen Tip Top), which he handles for Michael Corcoran and Des Flaherty, Oranmore, took the honours in the Duffers Stake for eight two-course dogs. Her winning distance in the final against Joshs Jewel (Matt Hyland-Fishermans Lucky), owned in Kilkee by Josh Harte, was two lengths. The beaten semi-finalists in this stake were Knockbrack Yeman and Matts Bird.
Riheh Bawn (Murtys Blaze-Riheh Byway), owned by Miltown Malbay club member, Michael Hehir, Crosses of Annagh, and Gipsy Madam (Droopys Kewell-Lady Geraldine) owned by Joan Normoyle, Doonbeg and Doonbeg native, Imedla Grauer, the well known Dublin based photographer, reached the final of the Tom O’ Halloran Memorial Cup (eight surplus members), which they divided. Beaten in the semi-finals were Murphys Surprise and Knockdine Dream.
The final of the Working Members Stake for 16 one-course members was also divided. The finalists were Rith Gan Crioch (Murtys Blaze-Riheh Cash Back) owned by Miltown Malbay Club joint secretary, Brendan Hehir and Miracle Woman (Mounteden Guest-Rith Gan Gaisce) owned by the late Nancy Hehir. Wife of Michael Hehir, she passed away three months ago. In the semi-finals Rith Gan Crioch came out best against Danema Blues and Miracle Woman beat Malbay Mischieve.
Overall this was an outstanding fixture in the well-appointed venue put at the disposal of the club by Frank Cleary, joint secretary of the host club and his wife, Margaret. Given the excellent weather conditions, patrons were also able to enjoy the splendid view across the Atlantic taking in the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and Connemara. This was very much in contrast to the scene last year when patrons were running for shelter to try and avoid the downpours of rain.
As usual the patrons were entertained during the intervals by a number of singers, including Michael Burke whose rendering of ‘Old Miltown Malbay’ went down well. This was the song rendered for years by club member, the late Michael Mahony.