Harte was not Wrong at Nenagh
Coursing
A home victory is always well received at Nenagh Coursing Club’s annual meeting and to a great reception, the Harte-Duff-Mitchell Syndicate’s Amiwrong (Newinn Wonder-Cracking Prim) claimed his place in the end of season Champion Duffer Stake with victory in a hotly contested Patsy Kelly Memorial Cup qualifier in Carhue, Ballycommon on Sunday.
Having shown big promise in a light puppy campaign which included a runner-up effort in the Champion Puppy Stake at Galbally in February, the second season February 2022 whelp was having just his second outing of the season and following a sharp opening round performance on Friday, the Tom Harte charge completed with three highly accomplished course victories on Sunday.
Containing Cork raider Alife’s Story with five lengths to spare at final stage, his performances rivalled any across the three-day meeting and he will take plenty of beating come the main event at Templetuohy in January.
Synonymous with excellence, the Nenagh club again delivered a wonderful sporting spectacle with clockwork precision, and exuberant hares were the stars of the show as the featured Six To Five All Age Cup made its way north with popular Lifford owner Dessie Kerrigan as his Light Tackle (Newinn Wonder-Fionntra Cara) thoroughly impressed in her first stake success.
Making the perennial trip from Donegal as a regular for the Ballycommon fixture, Kerrigan guided the plucky May 2022 whelp through the bitch section at the bottom half of the draw before the impressive early pace of Light Tackle proved too hot for the Brendan Matthews trained Advisory when prevailing by a length and a half at final stage.
The coveted Trial Stake tickets also left the county when firstly, the Brendan Farrelly trained Mega Options (Howdododo-Bearna Gaoithe) dashed local hopes in the final of the Oaks qualifier.
Impressive throughout, the Killucan charge proved three lengths too strong for Laura O’Meara’s Chubbys Willow (Boylesports Magic-Badminton Chubby) at final stage and looks a solid contender for the National meeting having displayed impressive pace at every turn, especially when strongly tested by the local hopeful throughout the initial stages of a competitive buckle.
The final of the Derby Trial Stake was an all Limerick affair but prevailing in a thrilling decider was the Maurice McCarthy trained Kilkeale Touch (Blades Of Hope-Touch Of Rosie).
In a qualifier which appeared above average from the very outset, the Rathkeale owned January pup repeatedly displayed steely resolve when having his credentials examined at every turn on Sunday but passing each test, he held off a talented Boherlode Tyson by a length at final stage and looks the type to relish Powerstown Park come February.
Both local duffer stakes went to the Borris-In-Ossory kennels of Diarmuid Quinlan when firstly, the Craig Carroll jointly owned Inallhisglory (Blades Of Hope-Mulcahys Peak) enjoyed a final bye over the withdrawn Patterdale Erica in the Carrow Stake before the Quinlan & Donal Kelly owned Shaunanne Marco (Baldes Of Hope-Skimcoat Hanna) held two lengths over Magical Sally in the final of a warm Bawn Stake.