THE harness racing sport swings into high season next weekend with the running of the second major handicap of the season chronologically, the premier meeting in the minds of the Joyces, our hosts and main sponsors.

Start time is 2pm on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th. Find St Olaves Chapel on main Balgriffin to Malahide Road and turn in. Track is 1km from chapel.

Races include:

  • €10,000 to the winner colts and geldings three-year-old pace, sponsored by Joyce family.
  • €5,000 to the winner fillies division of same, sponsored by Lisadell Equine Hospital.
  • A heats and final competition sponsored by M50 Skip Hire.
  • Red Mills sponsored le Trot races
  • A two-year-old prep race for the upcoming Vincent Delaney Festival in mid-August.
  • A Free For All (top grade off levels) pace for €2,000
  • Plus other sponsorship and feature races too numerous to mention.

  • To help set the scene here is a brief round-up of some of the leading fancies in both the colts and fillies Barney Joyce Memorial (for three-year-olds), with usual drivers.

    COLTS

    Benny Camden (A Richardson): The one to beat. Flawless all season including good win over Springhill Glory at York. Slick gaited and can settle, then quicken, a worthy favourite. Probable odds 1/2

    Springhill Glory (P Kane jnr): From Sally Teebon’s Derbyshire yard and she has some strike rate in Ireland. Has won on grass since defeat by Benny Camden five weeks ago. By Joe Sheridan’s Ayr Glory. Can improve but will need to. Probable odds 7/4

    Rhyds Rival (B Roche): The hope of the sponsors. Slightly disappointing last weekend in a small field but may have needed the run. Solid two-year-old form though plagued by sickness. Free drink for everybody if this wins - for six months. Probable odds 5/1

    Tarawood (CJ. J Dunne): Unexposed type from Christy Dunne’s Porterstown Academy. Stable in great form. Their unexposed types usually race like fourth season horses. Watch market moves. Probable odds 8/1

    Earnies Umpire (C O’Reilly): Has cut his teeth on ultra-tough Cork circuit. His sire was as game as they come. Lively outsider must be respected. Probable odds 6/1

    Rhyds Cocoa (Richard Haythornthwaite): British raider, improving with every run. The boat fare will not be paid in vain. Probable odds 7/1

    FILLIES

    IB Coyote (D Murphy): She looks to have strengthened over winter but slightly disappointing in Sires Stakes on July 9th. Connections may have left a bit to work on so will still be confident. Probable odds 3/1

    Chinatown Katie (J Richardson): Showed sparks of ability in beating Triplicity some weeks back at Annaghmore. Verified talent with game win over IB Coyote last weekend. Probable odds 3/1

    Rhyds Mystique (V Gill): English challenger. Stable do well at Portmarnock. Beaten by IB Coyote last year but got a horrible draw on that occasion. Still the one to beat. Probable odds 1/1.

    Jennifer Camden (A Richardson): Lightly-raced and improving type. Poor run Annaghmore latest but can be forgiven as bumping and boring in the race. Could be anything. Probable odds 6/1