Miltown Malbay coursing double for Allen

Oaks heroine, Skellig Babe giving a faultless performance in winning the all-age bitch stake and young Jamie Allen from Ballyduff bringing off a fine double in the major stakes were the highlights of an outstanding Miltown Malbay coursing meeting at Ballymakea Mor, Quilty, last weekend.
Skellig Babe, as expected, collected more precious points and with a New Ross Cup win already under her belt, she is well on the way to Clonmel for the Grace Bruton Champion Stakes.
In the trial stakes, Clare owners went a long way but failed at the final hurdles when Tromora Penny, owned in Quilty by Karen Hogan, was beaten in the final of the Derby trial stake and Woodpark Diva, owned by Johnny Quinn, Woodpark, Newmarket-on-Fergus, came out second best in the Oaks decider.
Last year, it was the turn of the O’Driscoll family from Glanmire to leave Miltown Malbay with two cups, Skellig Time winning the Oaks trial stake and Skellig Wave coming out on top in the all-age bitch stake. However, they were happy to come with just one win on their latest visit, after their Skellig Izzy was beaten in the semi-finals of the Oaks trial stake (32) while their Skellig Way was withdrawn from the Derby trial stake (32) after winning two rounds on Saturday.
But it was mission accomplished as far as Skellig Babe was concerned. Trained by Denis O’Driscoll, Skibbereen, for Rose O’Driscoll, Glanmire, the brindled daughter of Boavista-Mountain Guest was in all-conquering mood at Miltown Malbay.
She disposed of Fawn of Inagh and Gerry Meehan’s Oilean Mystic on the opening day to earn the right to meet Omera in the second semi-final on Sunday.
Omera was also impressive in her two wins on Saturday but got a long hunt in her second round win and was an absentee on Sunday.
In the top half of the card, the Tubbercurry-owned House of Queens (Bexhill Eoin- Waiting For Joy) made her way to the final after eliminating Dalcash Sarah and getting a second-round bye after Burnpark Sadie was withdrawn injured on the opening day. In her semi-final run against Woodpark Blaze, owned by John Quinn, Woodpark, Newmarket-on-Fergus, House of Queens came from behind to win by two lengths. Woodpark Blaze had a bye in the second round due to the withdrawal of George Gallery’s Cillowen Rhythm
Skellig Babe had a bye run in the second semi-final but got more work than her connections would have preferred. Nonetheless, she was again in flying form to establish an early lead in the final and go on to get the first turn by four lengths from House of Queens, who is owned in County Mayo by Alan Gurren and Andrew Hopkins. The win resulted in the O’Driscoll family returning to Glanmire with the John Kenneally Memorial Cup still in their possession.
It was also a great Miltown Malbay meeting for young Jamie Allen from Ballyduff and his father, James. They were over the moon after their fine double, the second part of which was achieved by Brannig Rio Bamba (Bexhill Eoin-Leigh Shady) in the Miltown Malbay all-age dog stake. Lawlee was a non-runner in the stake and was replaced by the Sixmilebridge-owned Ballycasey.
The big upset on the opening day was the elimination of even-money favourite, Killimor Matey in the opening round by the one-length winner and West Clare-owned Danema Blues. Another shock was the second-round defeat of Re Me Martin by Brannig Rio Bamba, who was the 2-5 favourite at the semi-final stage with 2-1 Aristo Prince, 3-1 There Goes Jojo, 4-1 Knockbrack Eoin.
House of Queens qualified for the final when beating local hope Knockbrack Eoin (Michael and Kilian Nestor) by two lengths and Brannig Rio Bamba joined him as a result of a four-length win over the Clonlara-owned Aristo Prince.
The North Kerry roar could be heard loud and clear when Brannig Rio Ramba went clear to get the opening turn by two lengths from There Goes Jojo, owned by Aidan Tynan of Galway.
Tromora Hogie and Best Legend were non-runners in the the Derby trial stake and after two rounds on Saturday Cadlevans, owned in West Clare by Paul and Michael Keating and John O’Donohue of the South Clare Coursing Club, was installed as the even-money favourite. Other odds were 6-4 Glin View Myers, 2-1 Tromora Penny, 3-1 Brannig Rio Master, Foreign Shores, 5-1 Fishermans Tales, 8-1 Rancor.
The September brindled, Skellig Way, was withdrawn after winning two rounds and as a result Brannig Rio Royal had a bye run in the first of the quarter-final buckles on Sunday.
Next into slips were the West Clare-owned pair Rancor and Fishermans Tales and Rancor was a one-length winner in a straight run. In another West Clare clash, Tromora Penny upset the odds when putting out the favourite Cadelevans by two and a half lengths while Glin View Myers, owned by the PMP syndicate from Glin, won a semi-final spot when easily overcoming the challenge of Foreign Shores.
Semi-finals odds were: 4-6 Tromora Penny, 1-1 Glin View Myers, 5-1 Brannig Rio Royal and Rancor.
Young Jamie Allen was first into the final when Brannig Rio Royal (Tynwald Smokey-Leigh Shady) had two lengths on Rancor, owned locally by Pat Meade. He was joined by the Quilty-owned Tromora Penny (Bexhill Eoin-Tromora Ocean) whose lead of one and a half lengths was much reduced before getting the flag from Glin View Myers.
The first half of the Ballyduff double was accomplished after Brannig Rio Royal was five lengths in front for the opening turn. Runner-up Tromora Penny is owned in Quilty by Karen Hogan.
Tiocfaidh Ar La and Mayor Roberta did not go to slips in the Oaks trial stake (32) and reserve runner Gaise Mor was withdrawn for the second round. Pass Her Diva was a non-runner for the quarter-finals after winning two rounds on Saturday.
The Gerry Holian-trained Very Cool, owned by Noreen McManus and Kevin McManus, was the 6-4 favourite after the proceedings of the opening day. Other prices were: 2-1 Tullabrack Steel, Skellig Izzy, 5-2 Alainn, 4-1 Woodpark Diva, Atlantic Rosie, 6-1 Sport Chic.
Woodpark Diva had a bye run in the first of the quarter-finals. Very Cool just survived the challenge by Tullabrack Steel. Alainn had six lengths on Atlantic Rosie, while Skellig Izzy won by three lengths.
At the semi-final stage, Alainn was now the new favourite at 4-6 with 1-1 Skellig Izzy, 2-1 Very Cool, 3-1 Woodpark Diva.
Very Cool looked to have the upper hand in the opening semi-final but despite changing sides, Woodpark Diva got through with a length to spare while two lengths was the winning distance for Alainn when ending the hopes of the Theo O’ Driscoll-owned Skellig Izzy.
Woodpark Diva (Murtys Gang-Woodpark Rebel) gave it everything in the final but at the stage when it seemed that she might be troubled, Alainn (Bexhill Eoin-Tullamoy Lady) found another gear at the halfway stage to fly past and win by one and a half lengths.
The winner is owned by Paul Dillon, Rathkeale, and the runner-up carried the hopes of John Quinn, ­Woodpark, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Jack McNamara from Ballyea in the Clarecastle parish was another who did not come away empty handed from the Miltown Malbay meeting as he won the stake for eight two-course duffers with Venture Out (Bexhill Eoin-Ben Bulbin).
In the final he was in front by four lengths when the hare veered off course to the right. The beaten finalist was Runaway Sally, trained by John Browne for the Rinenana syndicate, whose members come from different parts of Clare.
Venture Out was winner of the first semi-final by six lengths while Runway Sally came from behind to get a just-up decision against the Jimmy Normoyle-trained Gipsy Madam.
West Clare native, Pat Curtin of the Monard stud won the Members stake for 16 one-course dogs and bitches with Parkers Prospect (Shelbourne Asthan-Miracle Lady) who beat Burnpark Alfie, owned by Mary Browne, Leitrim, Cree, in the final by one length in a straight run. The beaten semi-finalists were Petshaname and Gift from Helen.
Also among the cup winners were West Clare enthusiasts, Alphonsus Tubridy from Mullagh and Mullagh native, Dr Paddy O’Kelly, Mullingar, whose Clune Road (Bexhill Eoin- Mardine Blonde) won the Tom O’Halloran Memorial Cup for 16 surplus members. A winner by seven lengths, Clune Road beat Zapatara (Bruce Alley-Serbeck) owned by Joe Keane, Carrigaholt, in the final. The beaten semi-finalists were Runway Patrol and Snowey Princess.
The Working Members Stake (eight-one course) went to Kilcorcoran Manu (Ace Hi Rumble-Ballard Nikita) owned by Conor Cleary, Miltown Malbay. He was always in front for his five-length win over the brindled bitch, Fishermans Tales (Matt Hyland- Fishermans Blonde), owned in Kilkee by Mary Harte. Beaten in their semi-finals buckles were Tromora Ace and Parker Megan.
While the field was very wet after the heavy rain of the previous days, the Ballymakea Mor venue at Quilty held up well for the two days. The hares were in great order and coursing was first class throughout.
Overall, the meeting was a tribute to all involved and it can be said the club has seen a new lease of life since switching to this picturesque venue placed at the disposal of the club by the Cleary family.
Luckily, it remained dry for the two days despite the threatening skies. Again, the Miltown Malbay club came up trumps for interval entertainment with singers Michael Burke of the Goodlands and Terry Wilson among those who contributed.