Good Cooraclare meeting for local owners

 

Clare owners fairly dominated proceedings at the South Clare coursing meeting at Cloncullen, Cooraclare, on Wednesday, winning the Oaks Trial Stake and the All Age Bitch Stake as well as being associated with the winners of the South Clare Cup for all-age dogs.

Irrespective of the outcome of the final of the Oaks Trial Stake (32), there was going to be a Clare qualifier for Clonmel. In the final were Knockbrack Lucy (Janie MacAroo-Glowing Times) owned in Miltown Malbay by Kilian and Keevan Nestor and Tromora Proof (Wallace Greene-Tromora Ocean) owned by Kathleen Hogan, Quilty. The ticket went to Knockbrack Lucy, who was a two-length winner.

After the quarter-finals the odds favoured Tromora Proof, who was 5-4 favourite with Callura Rain (6-4), We Have Alice (2-1) and Knockbrack Lucy (3-1).

It was very tight all the way in the first semi-final, with Knockbrack Lucy having a very slight advantage. The Miltown Malbay-owned black qualified for the final after winning a just-up decision against Callura Rain, owned in Ennistymon by PJ Reynolds.

Tromora Proof had a more decisive win in the second half, having four lengths on We Have Alice for the first turn. We Have Alice, who was the 6-4 favourite before the quarter, is owned by the Stradbally syndicate from Stradbally.

It was extra-special occasion for South Clare Coursing Club chairman John O’Donoghue, whose daughter Ruth won the South Clare All-Age Bitch Stake (16) with the John Browne-trained Jeru Melody (Siena Steel-Jeru).

Among the market leaders before coursing were Call Me Kerry and Shes All Talk (5-2) and Job Done (3-1). The Cappawhite-owned Chapter was a non-runner and after one round on Saturday, the Kilkee-owned Shes All Talk was installed as the 4-5 favourite with Job Done (2-1) Larchill Millie (5-2) Jeru Melody and Missing Blonde (3-1), Missing Bex (4-1) Fitzler Express (5-1) and Swedish Birgitta (8-1).

The quarter-final saw the Loughrea-owned Larchill Mille beat Swedish Birgitta by five lengths; Job Done being more on line for his win over Missing Blonde; Jeru Melody getting the first turn when four lengths in front of the Kilrush-owned Fitzler Exprtess and Missing Bex causing a big shock when more on line to dispose of Shes All Talk in a tight tussle.
For the semi-finals, bookmaker Martin Egan had Jeru Melody installed as the 4-5 favourite, with Job Done (5-4) Larchill Millie (2-1) and Missing Bex (3-1).

In the first semi-final the hare came back on line to give Tradaree Cup winner Job Done a two-and-a-half-length win over the Loughrea-owned Larchill Millie while Jeru Melody had it all his own way when disposing of Missing Bex.The final was a local derby and it provided a thrilling contest. The result was a half length win for Jeru Melody over Job Done, trained by Pat Curtin for Cathal Meaney, Tullabrack, Cooraclare.

Jeru Melody was also nominated by club chairman, John O’Donoghue while Job Done was nominated by Michael Clohessy, Cooraclare. Only a matter of a few weeks away from his fifth birthday, the Pat Curtin-trained Windfarm Eiscir was not given a serious chance in the South Clare Cup all-age dog final (16).

However, he proved pundits wrong as he went all the way to the final, only to be beaten by Sound Pistol, who added to the six points he had already collected for the Champion Stakes.

Trained by Jerry Griffin, Abbeyfeale for members of the Pistol Knight syndicate from Abbeyfeale and England, Sound Pistol (MusicalTime-Leigh Shadow) was the 6-4 favourite before coursing and after disposing of the fa:Hncied Jeru Cavendish on the opening day, Windfarm Eiscir was now a 2-1 chance on day two.

Sound Pistol was still the money-on favourite with Eshwary Sea and Eves Joey at 3-1, Harrys Time (who beat the fancied Banna Bolt by one length on the opening day) 4-1, Kilbeacanty Bob 5-1 and Castle Zebo 6-1. The Ballybunnion-owned Passing Buckleys was absent for the second day after beating Halbsack on the opening day,

In the first of the quarter-finals Sound Pistol had a bye run through the absence of Passing Buckleys; Eshwary Sea advanced with a two-length win over the Kilkishen-owned Harrys Time; the Pat Curtin-trained Eves Joey came back on line to get the flag against Castle Zebo while Windfarm Eiscir had three lengths on Kilbeacanty Bob.

Betting for the semi-finals: Pistol Knight 2-5, Windfarm, Eiscir 5-4, Eshwary Sea 2-1 and Eves Joey 3-1.

In the first semi-final, Sound Pistol had four lengths on Eshwary Sea in a straight run. Windfarm Eiscir was not so fortunate in the all-Pat Curtin second semi-final, as having won the first turn by three lengths against Eves Joey, he was very much involved in a long hunt afterwards. Sound Pistol had the advantage going into the final and while Windfarm Eiscir gave a good account of himself, the winner pulled away to score a two-and-a-half-length win. Full marks to Sound Pistol but credit must also go to Windfarm Eiscir, who has been a great servant for his connections.

Club honorary secretary Maeve McGuane nominated Sound Pistol while Cooraclare native Gerry Reidy, nominated Windfarm Eiscir.
Louise Meaney from Tullabrack, Cooraclare and Helen Fitzgerald, Tralee are joint owners of Guts and Fire (Razor Ashmore-Hand Pass), the winner of the Reserve Derby Trial Stake (16). Cillowen Wisdom, owned by George Gallery Junior, Ennis, was impressive in his first-round win on the opening and was the 6-4 favourite on day two. However, he picked up a leg injury on his way to his first-round win and was absent for the second round.

All the market leaders came through their quarter-final buckles, after which Guts and Fire was 5-4 favourite with the Ballyduff-owned Sulva Bay at even money, Burnpark Wallace at 2-1 and the Sixmilebridge-owned Ballyjames at 5-2.

Guts and Fire qualified for the final after overcoming the challenge of an off-line Ballyjames while Burnpark Wallace had two lengths on Suvla Bay. Guts and Fire remained unbeaten when going all the way to win the final by two lengths from Burnpark Wallace, owned and trained by the members of the Burnpark syndicate (Browne family) from Leitrim, Kilmihil.

The Working Members Strake (eight one-course dogs and bitches) was won by Stonepark Rose (Mafi Magic-Three Folls) owned by Michael Lillis and Joe Kelly, Cooraclare.

He was a one-length winner of the final from Shyan Bruce (Mafi Magic-Cillowen Pearl) owned by Monica and Catriona Callinan, Shyan, Kilmihil. The beaten semi-finalists were Brisla Star (Tommie Gallagher and Denny Browne, Cooraclare) and Ring Twice (Jimmy Normoyle, Doonbeg)
Tom Keane, Clonreddan, Cooraclare, won the final of the Members Stake (16 two-course dogs and bitches) with Clonreddan Bex (Matt Hyland-Summerfield Bex). She was always in front for her four-length win over litter brother Milesian Spark, owned by Niamh Conlon, Brisla, Cooraclare.

Despite the unfavourable conditions – it was wet and very windy on the opening day and cold on the second day – the South Clare coursing meeting went off well and provided excellent coursing over the two days.