Russell Memorial lives up to expectations

The Anto Russell Memorial Cup now sits pride of place on the mantelpiece of Colin McTaggart’s home in Ballyclare following the success of GD’s Blizzard in the harness racing feature race on the program at Racetime Raceway (Belfast) last Saturday.

A top field of Irelands best pacers was assembled to contest this preferred free-for-all with Micheal Goggin’s ex-track record holder John Barley going to post the hot favourite ahead of John Burns’s Meadowbranch Roman who drew the pole position slot behind the Mobile starting gate. It’s rare that a race lives up to the hype that’s built up before it but this event delivered in spades.

At the off, Meadowbranch Roman and Check The Deal locked horns early with both setting a blistering pace whilst the three remaining runners Share A Smile, GDs Blizzard and John Barley were all content to settle at the tail of the field.

With a circuit left to run John Barley made the first real move of the race but GD’s Blizzard was alert to this and subsequently got first run on the favourite. Sufficiently softened up after his earlier exertions Meadowbranch Roman dropped tamely away leaving Check the Deal, John Barley and GDs Blizzard to fight out the finish.

Up the home stretch it was the latter who found the most and the eight-year-old mare sprinted clear of her rivals to triumph in a mile time of 2.01, the fastest of the season so far which was quite an achievement considering the sloppy track conditions.

The winner has been a revelation this season maintaining her unbeaten record around the Racetime circuit. Acquired by McTaggart after picking up a potentially career ending injury in 2021, she has been gradually nursed back to full health and it’s a testament to his patience and horsemanship that she’s come back to racing stronger than ever in 2023. She now moves into pole position as Racetimes winningest horse for the season and in her current rich vein of form she remains on course for the much-coveted NISA Horse Of The Year Title.

Amongst the supporting races on the program Highbrooks Ignite and American Rebel both claimed victory in 2.05 and 2.04 for owners Tom McDonagh and Mickey Connors respectively for whilst the ultra-consistent veteran Lucky Cam won a well-deserved Grade 1 & 2 handicap in 2.0.4.7 for owner Greg Dean who trains on the track.

All contests on the day had added money to the main purses and all prizemoney was paid out in cash to every competitor after racing. Meeting organizers NISA extended sincere gratitude to all who sponsored on the day, and these include Dean Russell & Family, Tommy McTaggart and Greg Dean & Family.

A live Equine Reiki demonstration took place during racing conducted by Valerie Westfield PHd along with a Q&A session and this was very well received by the bumper attendance present.

Next Meeting at Racetime is 12th August and entries with NISA through the usual channels for every grade of pacer.

From Racetime Raceway