THE 2019 harness racing season got off to a low key start at Portmarnock last Sunday, March 31st.
On one hand, this was a poor card with only 23 runners over five races. To be positive, this was the earliest opening meeting in the history of the track.
Commentator Mick Dempsey made several references to the fact that 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the venue by the late Hughie Richardson.
Abraham, from the Tyrone yard of Sean and Simon Duggan started as he left off last year in winning the highest grade trot on the card.
Driver Simon Duggan had quite a job keeping Abraham at the 50-yard mark. The horse was really on top of his toes. Star De Fruitier (Noel Ryan) briefly flattered but the Cappagh runner always had her measure.
Abraham’s was a strong performance. He posted 2.04.6, a good clock for first time out and gave 50 yards to useful animals. Making up 50 yards is obviously harder over a mile than a mile and a half. All in all, the Duggans will be well pleased with their stable star.
The opening race of the year was a case of plus ça change for the long-standing champion driver John Richardson.
Richardson unveiled a nice prospect in the shape of Meadowbranch Duke. The four-year-old is a typical Richardson production, plainly rigged and running straight as a gun barrel. John’s father Hughie would have said: “He’s been here before,” as the gelding showed no signs of greenness. “He was going well at two but met with an accident,” stated JR “He’s a nice type of horse.”
Duke is out of the oddly-named mare Meadowbranch Gigolo. Therefore he is a half-brother to Meadowbranch Ash, Milli and Titus – purple blood indeed.
The A to F pace was run at what is politely called ‘a muddling pace’. Backers came for the horse on top of the sheet, IB Mc Gregor. However, he appeared to get keyed up and threw away all chance by putting in breaks.
FACILE WIN
In the end, Porterstown Courage and Walter Stewart showed their wellbeing with a facile win in 2.05.9. Second of three runners was the Garristown-based Indie Hanover (Fred Kavanagh for Joe Sheridan).
Billy Roche got on the scoreboard early when the consistent Vallaint De Gueham picked up the G and F grade trot.
The runner up Silvano Bello (Oisin Quill) seems to be better if he gets to lead, although with €40,000 bankrolled in Ireland alone, the Murphys will forgive him his nuances.
Young Oisin Quill went one better in the next event when the Ardee owned Tenor Meslois stayed on well to beat a field of eight. Of the newcomers Diablesse Jisce (Simon Duggan) was there at the death, while D’Amourette ran well for Alan Wallace.
“He’ll be after my job next,” joked Donal Murphy after Oisin’s victory. Donal opted to stay with the more difficult Banderillero Piya. Interestingly, that chesnut put in a clear round of trotting and finished third. He could be one to watch.
The IHRA deserve credit for getting the season off to such an early start. As usual very few of the big guns will be seen out in the first few weeks of the season, but within three or four weeks the cards will improve.
Racing continues at Portmarnock Raceway (off the R107) tomorrow 3pm and at Annaghmore, Co Armagh on Saturday, April 13th also 3pm.
Silvano Bello and Oisin Quill winning at Portmarnock last year Photo Nadina Ironia
RESULTS PORTMARNOCK
SUNDAY, MARCH 31 ST 2019
Race One: 1 Meadowbranch Duke (J Richardson), 2 Ladyford Jim (L Stewart), 3 Ela Mana Mou (F Kavanagh). Time 2.05.7 Dist 2¼l, 2¾l
Race Two: 1 Vallaint de Gueham (B Roche), 2 Silvano Bello (O Quill), 3 Encorelle Du Messi (A Wallace). Time 2.07.7 Dist ½l, 2l
Race Three: 1 Tenor Meslois (O Quill), 2 Diablesse Jisce (S Duggan), 3 Banderillero Piya (D Murphy). Time 2.08.9 Dist ½l, 2l
Race Four: 1 Porterstown Courage (W Stewart), 2 Indie Hanover (F Kavanagh), 3 IB Mc Gregor (JP O Callaghan). Time 2.05.5 Dist 2½l, 5l
Race Five: 1 Abraham (S Duggan), 2 Star De Fruitier (N Ryan), 3 Cilando Des Temps (J Cowden). Time 2.04.6 Dist 1¾l, 2½l