Superb support for Ballyheigue coursing club
Centre of photo on right Jt/ sponsor John Mcelligott presents the winning trophy to Pat Redden (Killaloe) after Redzer Prince won the Ballyheigue Coursing Club 325 final all part of the Ballyheigue Coursing Club Night at the Dogs, at the Kingdom... Credit: PICTURE: WWW.DENISWALSH PHOTOGRAPHY.COM
NOBODY should ever be under any illusion about the level of support, which is forthcoming for coursing in Kerry. A benefit meeting for Ballyheigue Coursing Club at Tralee Track last Saturday night attracted a huge crowd and the level of financial support was quite awesome, reflected in 114 nominators and a whole host of sponsors which included an impressive list of other Kerry coursing clubs, plus those in Abbeyfeale and Glin.
There was also a draw for fabulous prizes and, between everything, it was one hell of a fundraising night for the committee of the Ballyheigue club. Mind you, it was no more than their herculean organisational efforts deserved.
It was a nice touch on the night, by track management, to have Coursing Derby winner, Go Home Hare, and Champion Bitch Stakes winner, Portinard Nine, paraded in front of the crowd before presentations were made to the respective Glin and Abbeyfeale connections.
Eleven of twelve races on the night were worth € 350 to the winner and, appropriately enough, the biggest purse, € 450, was at stake in a 325yds sweepstake final, which carried the name of Ballyheigue Coursing Club and was jointly sponsored by Mcelligotts Bar, Ardfert, and Abbeydorney Coursing Club.
The 5/4 favourite was impressive semi- final winner, Allowdale Lisa, but she was beaten into third place behind Redzer Prince ( Musical Time – Skellig Beag), owned by David Reddan, of Killaloe, and trained in Abbeydorney by Marius Kybartas.
The three that showed in front from traprise were Crafty Bonito, Allowdale Lisa and Redzer Prince and, with the advantage of a trap 1 draw, Redzer Prince powerfully drove into the lead off the first bend. He went on to score by a length from Crafty Bonito in 18.20, with two lengths back to Allowdale Lisa.
A terrific double was achieved on the night by Noel and Adrian Clifford, of Ardfert, who initiated it in race 7, for A2 class over 525yds, with Ardfert Moira ( Kinloch Brae – Lady Aaron). Tribecca Doc shaped up as a likely winner after leading off the first bend, but everything was to change on the run to the line and Ardfert Moira determinedly got up for a half-length victory over Liosarinn Bound in 29.32, with a short head back to Tribecca Doc.
The double for the Cliffords was completed in race 10 ( A2 class over 525yds) with Ardfert Colin (Royal Impact – Killaharry Dawn).
He simply flew to the first bend from a trap 5 draw and nothing could get in a blow at him as the race progressed, reflected in a winning margin of four and a half lengths (over Rathanny Minti) in 29.08.
Other winners: Chili Charlie, 29.35; Gurteen Dubh, 30.54; Choice Of Champs, 29.45; Discovery Flight, 27.70; Saleen Whitesock, 30.74; Steeple Rd Ella, 27.96; Newlawn Martina, 28.93; Pennylane Lace, 31.01; Josh Bosh Begosh, 29.11.
