LAST Sunday saw the second meeting at the new Lyre Raceway near Clonakilty in Co Cork. The trotting community were able to get a proper look around the transformed facility without the distraction of 21 races and a visiting French delegation. The track was funded by the Government Sports Capital Grant Scheme.

Happily, there are some talented young drivers coming through in Munster, Leinster and Ulster at the moment. Two young men from the Southern region drove a double apiece, namely Eoin Murphy from Baltimore and Jamie Hurley whose Reenascreena yard is the closest to Lyre.

Two separate photo finishes had differing consequences for the layers on the day. In the Department of Agriculture/Horse Sport Ireland Trot, Jamie just got up with his Hotesse Du Chassin to deny the well-backed Homa (Eoin Murphy).

The camera was not needed to separate first and second in the high-grade trot. John O’Sullivan’s Graal Du Dollar (Jamie Hurley) ran the all-conquering Harry Knows to two lengths a week previously and was therefore no better than 1/2 for this. Those who took the odds were rewarded while there was a minor upset in the race for second as Paul McInerney’s I Want You Back stayed on stoutly.

“Graal loves this track,” stated Jamie “I think we’ll take our chance at the Vincent Delaney meeting in North Wales.”

The Murphy horses are showing better form since the new track opened. Gentleman Coglais’ form now reads 211 at Lyre following an-every-post-a-winning-post victory in the Grade D to G trot. Italia Du Mont (John Richardson) looked to be in better fettle than last year and was a staying-on second.

Similarly, IB Paddington dictated from the front in the top-grade pace.

The reliable bread winner for IB Stables won without turning a hair in 2.03.7. Ayr Beach (Derry McCarthy) was runner-up.

“I had two seconds coming from behind, so I changed the tactics,” explained Eoin. He is due to represent Ireland in the European Apprentice Championships at Dundalk Stadium on August 23rd. The meeting will show the sport at its best.

Match race

Derry McCarthy got a better return in the opening Department of Agriculture/Horse Sport Ireland Future Broodmares pace. The books bet like there were only two with a chance and so it proved, with favourite Emily Rose beating second favourite Anglesey Hall and Eoin Murphy. The clock stopped at 2.03.7.

“She has two firsts, two seconds and two thirds from six races,” said Drimoleague publican Derry.

The gamble of the day was landed by Dublin raider Check Out Lou and owner-driver Lee Kelly. The son of Sweet Lou won emphatically in a lifetime best of 2.00.4. He was backed from 6/4 to 4/7. The sire continues to fire out winners in the UK, Ireland, Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand.

The ever-dependable Destin Du Larre earned his corn yet again for the Quill, Kenmare outfit as he made all to win the Amateur and Apprentice Trot. Oisin Quill was in the bike. The runner-up Hippie Sisu should be followed.

John Richardson has persevered with both Meadowbranch Adios and Meadowbranch Rí, which is a tip in itself. The former got the diesel money for the Ballyboughal yard when winning the Grade G pace by the width of a cigarette paper, a set back for the layers.

Second was ‘Rí’ trained and driven by Hannah Richardson’s partner Jamie Hurley.

“He got injured at three and it’s been a long road back,” John told The Irish Field. The winner is owned by Alan Davies from Wolverhampton.

Overall, this was a backer’s day with six out of eight winners that could be called favourites.

Patrick Hill from Leap was spotted schooling a nice youngster out of his Audabe A Helene after racing. The Cork horsemen did well before they had a hard track to practice on. With this fine track on their doorstep the Rebels will be unstoppable.

The circus returns to Annaghmore today and back to Lyre tomorrow for the lucrative IHRA Juvenile Series for younger horses.

Results and entries can be found on irishharnessrcing.com. Race replays can be seen on the IHRA YouTube channel.