Successful meeting at new venue

A GREAT team effort by members of Tradaree Coursing Club saw them beat the weather conditions and get through a successful meeting at their new venue last weekend.
The stretch at Lemenaghbeg, Newmarket-on-Fergus was covered as a precautionary measure and although the starting time was delayed on Saturday and Sunday because of the frosty conditions, the card was completed in record time on both days. Traderee and coursing were the winners.
The O’Donovans from Killaloe went close to bringing off a nice double at the meeting. Jimmy won the John Murray Memorial all-age bitch stake with Highland Glow but Highland Harbour, owned by Jack and Jimmy O’Donovan, was beaten in the final of the Olde House all age dog stake by Homestead Kerry, trained by Dan Lynch.
Soundmanpaddy, who already won cups in Limerick City and Rathcormac, was the pre-coursing favourite for the all age dog stake but he was a non-runner. The new favourite was the George Gallery-trained Colossal Storm, who also won a cup this year in Trim and reached the semi-finals in Killimer-Kilrush.
He overcame his first-round challenge on Saturday and was still the favourite on Sunday at 2/1 with 3/1 Highland Harbour, Ballycasey, Los Hervideros and Homestead Kerry, 4/1 Misty Valley and 5/1 Breskamore.
Highland Harbour won by half a length from the reserve runner, Breskamore, while three lengths divided Ballycasey, the winner and Matts Jet. Three lengths was also the winning distance for Colossal Storm over Los Hervideros, while Homestead Kerry had it easier against Misty Valley.
It was a straight run in the first semi-final in which Highland Harbour was well in front of Ballycasey, while it was a much tighter affair in the second semi-final, which resulted in Homestead Kerry advancing at the expense of Colossal Storm.
After this effort, Homestead Kerry (Castle Pinces-Gold Sunrise) was still full of running in the final when he got the better of Highland Harbour by two lengths. Nominated by Gerry Murray, Sixmilebridge, Homestead Kerry is owned by Dan Lynch, Ballyduff.
Not In Dispute, the pre-coursing favourite for the John Murray Memorial all age bitch stake (16)was also absent. The stake attracted a strong field, including a few runners who were looking for extra points for Clonmel qualification.
The favourite after round one on Saturday was the Nenagh-owned Chubbys Zola at 6/4. Others were 2/1 Same Over, 3/1 Highland Glow, Runaway Abbey and Tribunal Talent, 4/1 Beck Row Hyland and Prolific Artist.
Highland Glow and Runaway Abbey overcame the challenges of Chubby’s Zola and Same Over respectively. Tribunal Talent had a bye run through the absence of Beck Row Hyland, while Lively Gaga had a three-length advantage on Prolific Artist in the last of the quarter-final buckles.
Highland Glow was first into the final when scoring a one-length win over Runaway Abbey in the first of the semi-finals. She was followed by Tribunal Talent, who had a bye run through the absence of Beck Row Hyland.
Highland Glow, who reached the semi-finals in Rathkeale, met a strong challenge from Tribunal Talent in the early part of the final. However, at the halfway stage she pulled away to win by five lengths. The winner was nominated by Dave Lenihan, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
The Derby ticket from Tradaree goes to Ballyrock Eoin (Bexhill Eoin-Gold Flake) owned in Bruree by Tom Cotter and Mark Dowling. After two rounds of the 32 dog stake for the Mickey Reddan Memorial Cup, Cillowen Bandit, owned and trained by George Gallery, Rockmount, Ennis, was the 2/1 favourite. Other prices were 5/2 Quarrymount Nut, 3/1 City Hunter, Ballyrock Eoin, Brannig Rio Bamba, Rocky Paddy, 4/1 Shadow Jaws and 5/1 Corheen Guest, a reserve for Bristol Paulie.
In the first of the quarter-final buckles, Shadow Jaws came from behind to beat Corheen Guest by two lengths in a straight run and Ballyrock Eoin had an even bigger winning margin against City Hunter. Three lengths was the winning margin for Brannig Rio Bamba over Quarrymount Nut, while Cillowen Bandit opened up a long lead on Rocky Paddy.
Ballyrock Eoin continued his all-conquering run to the final when getting the better of Shadow Jaws by five lengths in the first semi-final. He was joined in the final by Brannig Rio Bamba, who had two lengths on Cillowen Bandit.
Ballyrock Eoin remained unbeaten when winning the final by two lengths from Brannig Rio Bamba, owned in County Kerry by Jamie Allan.
The George Gallery-trained Colossal Call, who came in as a reserve for I Can Tell You, was the 2/1 favourite on day two for the reserve Oaks trial stake (16) for the Eileen Hayes Memorial Cup.
Quarter-final buckles resulted in Oileann Lilo beating Miss Master by five lengths; Leigh Kanu having a bye run through the absence of Duarigle Rebel; six lengths separating Rith Faineach (the winner) and Colossal Call and Derheen Deluxe having an easy win over Steves Keeper.
Oileann Lilo, owned by Sixmilebridge native and Kiskeen, County Cork-based Gerry Meehan, had a three-length win over Leigh Kanu in the first of the semi-finals and Derheen de Luxe got the nod in the second semi-final when eliminating Rith Faineach, owned by Brendan Hehir of the Miltown Malbay Coursing Club by one length. Killarney owner D O’Shaignnessy won the final by one length with Derheen De Luxe (Janey Macaroo-Key View).
Former Clare hurling star Sean Stack became the first cup winner at the new venue when his Steves Sentinel (Hondo Black-Corporate Group) won the Working Members Stake (eight one-course duffers) for the Stephen Stack Memorial Cup in memory of his late father. In the final he beat Ballyhill Rush (Top Savings-Buckie Rose) by three lengths. The runner-up is owned by Donal Cooney, Killuran, O’Callaghan’s Mills. The beaten semi-finalists were Chapelane Donie (Jim McLaughlin, Shannon) and Clontra Lass (Michael McInerney and Frank Kelly, Sixmilebridge).
Cratloe owner, Liam Carroll, also celebrated a win after his Portdrine Bobby (Hades Rocket-Jumeirah Jess) won the Harcatchers Stake for eight one-course duffers. In the final, he established a three-length lead over Road to Tulla, owned by Eamon Murphy, Kilkishen, The beaten semi-finalists were Tullyglass Pride (Timmie Keane, Shannon) and Dot.Com Kate (Jerry Brennan, Clonmoney).
The lands were made available to the club by landowner Paddy Quinn and his family and should be a big boost to the club for further meetings.

Cooraclare hoping for weather improvement

NOT for the first time the weather could have a big say as far as the South Clare Cup meeting is concerned. Midweek, the prospects were not looking too good for the holding of the meeting in Cooraclare on the usual dates of December 26 and 27 but club member are hoping for some thaw to allow the popular Christmas fixture go ahead.
The draw was made in Cooraclare on Monday night, in the Own Pride Bar, when it was announced that the card will have a full Derby trial stake this year as a result of the Nenagh meeting not going ahead.
The Pat Curtin-trained Windfarm Eiscir, a cup winner in East Donegal and a beaten finalist in Doon, will be the 2/1 favourite for the South Clare Cup all age dog stake (16). He is drawn in the bottom half, where his biggest dangers will be Clune Hyland and the Lisselton-owned Lone Boxer, who reached the semi-finals in Limerick City and was beaten in the Killimer-Kilrush final by Milesian Son.
Owned by Paddy Conlon of Cree, Milesian Son is the favourite to come from the top half where Him Over There, trained by John Browne for an Ennis syndicate, could have a say.
The Paddy Marrinan-trained Atlantic Ashmore is the 6/4 favourite to win the all age bitch stake (16) and repeat her Killimer-Kilrush success. She is drawn in the bottom half with Skellig Wave (3/1), the Glin trial stake winner Ocean Tulala (6/1) and the Inagh-owned Squid of Inagh (8/1).
In the top half, Burnpark Sadie, Missing Hyland and Ciloowen Icon are all at 4/1.
With the full Derby trial stake and full Oaks, as well as the Members and Working Members stakes on the card, Cooraclare look set for another fine outing, if the weather allows.
The judge for the event is Dermot O’Sullivan, while the slipper is Richie Quinn. The draw is as follows:
Oaks trial stake (32) first quarter: An Cean Dubh v Beckensale; National Express v Cloher Road; Cillowen Rhythm v Tromora Darkie; Uptown Fairy v Finuge Calamity. Second quarter: Mariners Glen v Stevies Keeper; Scattery Diva v Kilbrick Kate; Riheh Blitzen v Wizard West; No Messi v Job Done. Third quarter: Come On Mac v Carrigmore Star; Janey Mucky v Aristo Princess; High Tatras v Golden Era; Dairy Maid v Glenbrack Lisa. Fourth quarter: Lowland Deuce v Wood Smokey; Miss Master v Dalcash Sarah; Jerry Abu v Rinwood Call; Woodpark Blaze v Drimeen Mariner. Reserves: (a) Shanakyle Bexie, (b) Is That You Mikey and (c) Nom Noms.
Derby trial stake (32) first quarter: Do the Lotto v Eoin Blonde; Clonmore Master v Murtys Return; Another Disaster v Scattery Becks; Wood If He Could v Hobsons Choice. Second quarter: Calm Expression v Claureen Breeze; Riheh Bawn v Disruptive Guest; Fishermans Toll v Mullagh Intyre; Nana Pop v Danema Leisure. Third quarter: Ballydufpublican v Kilbeacanty Jojo; Counting Crows v Denham Matt; Forever West v Eat A Lot; Venture Out v Ler Magico. Fourth quarter: Roger Crystal v Windfarm Brian; Hammies The Man v Corheen Guest; Gold Pine v Derrylough Fury; Granstown Sam v Danema Blues. Reserves: (a) Beechgrove Blue and (b) Bowdlers Magic.
All age bitch stake (16) top half: Wee Beauty v Missing Hyland; Look Whos Unique v Summerfield Bex; Burnpark Sadie v Cillowen Icon; Aristo Roo v Lively Blonde. Bottom half: Atlantic Ashmore v Now Its Princess; Squid of Inagh v Jeru Eile; Skellig Wave v Ocean Tolula; Scattery Express v Cailin Oran. Reserves: (a) Callura Chico and (b) Millabbey Jessie.
All Age Dog Stake (16) top half: Upsetter v Los Hervideros; Oilean Fantasy v Milesian Son; Gifted Hero v I Say So; Him Over There v Carrigmore Heart. Bottom half: Ballycasey v Roadstone Flyer; Clune Hyland v Windfarm Eiscir; Cavans Master v Lone Boxer; No Fool v Ahanagram Snow. Reserves: (a) Fishermans Scoby and (b) You Go I Go.
Members Stake (16 two-course dogs and bitches confined): Good Slick v Joshs Jewel; Barred For Life v Clonreddan Mike; Lismadine Tevez v Derrylough Himac; Shyan Mick v Obdu Carlo; Kilferagh v Fitzler Bolt; Preacher v Rith Faineach; Callura Viva v Kinealty Black; Gypsy Madam v Barntick Lucky. Reserves: (a) Burnpark Royal and (b) Peddling Paddy.
Working Members Stake (13 one-course dogs and bitches): Rumble King v Redbrick Tiger; Master Slick v Now Its Bruno; Shyan Patjoe v Burnpark Brave; Castlelyons Kaka v Hilltop Tomboy; Liasmadine Jack v Avitus; Nullantur Plain v Clonreddan Tina; Tullabrack Gift.
The meeting will start on Sunday at 11.30am and the running will be twice through the Oaks trial stake and Derby trial stake, once through the all age bitch stake and all age dog stake. Monday’s meeting will also start at 11.30am with the Workers Stake, Members Stake, Oaks trial stake, Derby trial stake and complete card.