Having experienced rain of biblical proportions at its previous meeting, the weather was much kinder to competitors and patrons at Racetime Raceway (Belfast) last Saturday where the five-race harness racing program was held in golden sunshine.
The opening event for maiden and novice grade pacers was won by owner/trainer/driver Tiernan Grimes with Camenna (Pro Bono Best) in a respectable 2:05.8.
The combination made their intentions clear from the outset by leading from the mobile gate and never seen another rival thereafter. Big Pete and Whatshappenin filled the frame with Ballycoan Major taking fourth spot.
Next up was a square trotters contest over the extended mile and a half trip and this resulted in a comprehensive victory for Greg Deans with the French bred Bocage De Fornet in 3:17.
Favourite Hurricane Star had attempted to make all in this but an uncharacteristic break in stride with a circuit to travel then put paid to his chances. Bocage De Fornet had gradually reduced his 40-yard handicap starting deficit as the race progressed and he seized the lead after Hurricane Stars mistake and went on to score from Diablesse Jisce who held on for second ahead of the rallying favourite.
A dead heat means both sets of connections get to celebrate in the winnerās enclosure and the raceday judge couldnāt separate Peter Lyttleās Let There Be Rock and Alan Beattieās McArts Fort at the finish of the afternoons Class 000/G1 Handicap.
McArts Fort had led virtually all the way in this tracked by Let There Be Rock who was then produced to challenge in the home stretch. Shooting up alongside McArts Fort he just couldnāt get past as his rival dug deep and they flashed by the winning post locked together in 2:02.2.
Castlewood Glensman claimed the third spot ahead of the favourite McIlroy. An eyecatcher in this was newcomer Jollys Alibi and it wonāt be long before this ex-Scottish trained gelding is winning races at the venue.
Although he had to share the spoils in the previous race, Peter Lyttle had the winnerās enclosure all to himself when his Rio Bravo took out the G2 class handicap.
The 11-year-old mare by Fantastic Western out of the legendary Klondyke Girl is currently enjoying a purple patch and she clocked 2:02.1 on her way to despatching Derrybeg and Sunnyside Clinton with the minimum of fuss.
The highest graded handicap of the day for G2 up to G6 pacers resulted in yet another victory for North Lucas aboard his own Phils Dragon.
Last seasonās NISA Horse Of The Year award winner claimed the scalp of Monugs Boy and Coalford Ollie in the fastest mile time of the day 2:00 even. Content to let Monugs Boy bowl along in front, Lucas attacked at the Ā¾ pole in this contest and Phils Dragon asserted instantly sprinting past the hapless longtime leader.
The colt by Jimmy Long is rapidly creeping up the grades and is arguably up to free-for-all class at present.
Pony Trotting is a great way of capturing future horseman at a young age and getting them hooked early into the sport of harness racing.
Popular in most Skandanavian countries these exhibitions give enormous enjoyment to children who get the opportunity to drive on racedays in front of the cheering fans with trophies and rosettes awarded instead of prizemoney.
Last Saturday at Racetime, the first of its pony sprint series featured 7-year-old Michael Loughran who time trialled his pony Silver over 1/8th mile and recorded 30.2 secs.
Young Michael gives father Niall a hand on racedays with their six-year-old mare Fold Mischief (Hasty Hall/Farwell Gift) but whilst she was out of luck on the day in her own race it was left to Michael to not only grab the limelight but a big trophy, so family honor was restored.
Another added attraction at last Saturdayās race meeting was a Reiki demonstration by local practitioner Valerie Westfield PhD and this was very well received on the day by both trainers and patrons alike.
Next Meeting at Racetime Raceway is scheduled for 9th July featuring the eagerly awaited Bobby Mackey Memorial Painted Mile. Kindly sponsored by Start Mortgages this event is for pinto pacers only and always proves popular amongst racegoers who appreciate something a little bit different from time to time.
From Racetime Raceway