Annaghmore, Sunday

INEVITABLY the two harness fixtures in Ireland last weekend had a tame feel, coming in the wake of the Delaney weekend in North Wales and the Red John meeting at Lyre. Cracker Mach, from the McDonagh yard in Ballybay put up an impressive performance at the Armagh venue. The son of See and Ski beat five hardened racehorses despite starting from the ‘6 hole’.

The nature of the racing in Ireland changes into the autumn. The regally bred two- and three-year-olds are trained to peak at the aforementioned meetings. Recent post-race interviews were full of ‘that’ll do him for the year now’ as the top trainers, as in other codes, want to keep a bit for the next season.

Traditionally, September and October have served up competitive racing as with the summer highlights over, trainers are no longer protecting horses’ marks (as if they would) and they concentrate on winning the winter keep money. The older horses come to the fore, more suited to the tough autumn handicaps.

Annaghmore on Sunday mirrored the above. Some of the big winners in Lyre were on a well-deserved rest, and a few of the lesser lights got on the scoreboard.

Cracker Mach is an exciting prospect. He is by the emerging young sire See and Ski out of a broodmare bred by the family of National Hunt trainer Sheila Lewis. Every time the handicap system has put him back, or in with better company the six-year-old has improved. On Sunday he won the grade F pace.

Double Deuce (Adam Corey) cut the pace until Meadowbranch Bobby (John Richardson), and Alexander Camden (4/5 to 6/4) swallowed him up. At the top of the straight Gabriel McDonagh produced Cracker Mach with a well-timed run for a length and a half victory in 2.03 for the mile.

“He must be a good horse to do that” said Gabriel as he left the winner’s enclosure “we’d love to take him to England, but it will probably be next year”.

Jonny Cowden is much in demand as a catch driver. Gavin Murdock was down to drive 4/5 favourite Jonathan Nixon’s Brooklyn Trixie, but is away on holidays. Jonny let the Carryduff trained gelding roll out of the gate and despite the best efforts of Adam Corey and Franchan de Roche they could not peg the leader back.

“The horse says age is just a number, he is now twelve” said owner Jonathan, “I’d say that was the fastest final quarter of the day”.

The layers got off to a bad start as another ‘jolly’ won the grade G pace. Forever Amour and Eoin Joyce were quick out of the gate and beat JR’s novice Meadowbranch Lil Mil by seven lengths. The stewards enquired, presumably into the start but the easy winner kept the race. 2.03.5 was the clock.

The bookies got compensation in the next two races. In the grade A to D trot Ha’penny Chance (Hopper Foran) and Feugeres Erem (Jonny Cowden) were nibbled at. Sean Kane ended a cold spell in the open classes when Hot To Trot finished strongly to pick up the highest-grade trot on the card.

“It’s great to see a mare bred in Ireland beating the French imports” was Sean’s comment, “full marks to my sister Mary who sticks at it with this mare, when most people, including myself, would give up”.

Leah McNevin, she of the flowing dark locks and the family colours of purple and white, caused an upset when she beat the 4/6 favourite Rhyds Salsa (Eoin Joyce) in the B to C pace. The combination had to pass for horses to win. The Lion King, bought out of the Alexis Laidler barn made a pleasing debut for Coleraine trainer Ricky Hanson a half length off the winner in second.

“Leah picked up some good tips from trainer Deborah Daguet at Yonkers in New York during the summer” said proud father Wayne, “ this was a big week for her as she did really well in her Leaving Cert as well”.

Full results both Lyre and Annaghmore can be viewed at www.irishharnesssracing.com.Replays can be viewed free at the IHRA Facebook page.

Annaghmore is due to race tomorrow while Dunmanway will host the George Deane Memorial race day in memory of a respected administrator in that region.