Racetime Raceway underway with third season of racing

A bumper crowd converged on Racetime Raceway in Belfast (UK) last Saturday for their opening meeting of the 2022. This kickstarted the tracks third season of racing and the venue has gone from strength to strength with each passing year providing grass roots harness racing for the locals in the province of Ulster.

All prizemoney won by participants is paid out on the day, and Racetime is the only track in the island of Ireland that continues to operate in this fashion.

Six contests were held on Saturday opening with three pacing heats held for seasoned handicappers and the first two home in each qualifying for the grand final which was the last race of the day. A square trot and a maiden and novice pace were also held augmenting proceedings.

The opening heat featured 2 of last season’s brightest young stars – McArts Fort and Alfa Papa and this clash lived up to its billing. Both gave their all but there can be only one winner and it was McArts Fort for owner-trainer-driver Alan Beattie who emerged triumphant in a mile time of 2:03.3 with Ballycoan Major hanging on to claim third spot ahead of Big Pete.

The Joe Sheridan bred Springhill Chisum made his Racetime debut for Mickey Connors in the penultimate heat, but he faced a baptism of fire in this event taking on the unbeaten McIroy, who is owner Willam McClelland’s pride and joy. At the business end, Springhill Chisum could not land a blow as McIroy had too many guns for both him and the other runner Lucky Cam in 2 mins 3.8.

The remaining heat looked a mouth-watering heat on paper beforehand and so it proved to be. All 6 pacers still held a live chance of victory turning for him, but it was the blistering turn of foot demonstrated by Coalford Ollie that provider the killer blow to land the spoils for Cathal Donnelly in 2:03.4. Phils Dragon snatched second from a longtime leader Sunnyside Clinton, Oakwood Maverick, John Barley and Monugs Boy.

Before the grand finale, a Maiden & Novices pace and a Square Trotters contest were conducted, and both were won by outsiders. In the former, Fullthisclosure broke his maiden tag holding on to claim the red rosette from a fast-finishing favourite Wotshappenin and Fold Mischief in a respectable 2.05.

The winner was driven by Tiernan Altimas, a new driver to the ranks at Racetime Raceway and this teenager has a bright future ahead based on this very polished debut in the bike.  As the name would suggest the winner is by Foreclosure and this stallion has been a game changer for harness racing breeders in the British Isles over the past five seasons.

In the latter, the Square Trot, Sam Crothers’s Hurricane Star finally came of age when making all to win in 2.09.6 from Diablesse Jisce who make a serious break in stride when getting into contention on the final circuit. The favourite in this Bocage De Fornet looked ill at ease throughout and will have trainer Greg Dean scratching his head as to his charge’s indifferent performance.

Punters were sent home on a high after grand final but none more so than winning driver Cathal Donnelly who brought the trophy back home to Donegal along with the victorious Coalford Ollie in the wagon. Lucky Cam and McIroy were locked in a battle for supremacy right from the outset in this and both paid the ultimate price for their earlier exertions as the race progressed.

Coalford Ollie was waiting in the wings and when produced by Cathal Donnelly at the 3/4 pole the response was immediate, he sailed by both of them to win going away in the fastest mile time of the day 2.02. McIroy lost nothing in defeat finishing runner-up whilst Lucky Cam held off Phils Dragon for third spot in what capped off a great start to a new season of harness racing.

Throughout the day there were demonstrations from the “Whip & Collar” carriage driving club and these proved to be very popular for racegoers, adding a splash of colour to proceedings, and more complementary equine attractions will be welcomed at the venue as the season progresses.

Next Meeting at Racetime is scheduled for 11th June and entries for this meeting open on 4th June.

From the NISA Press Office