Coursing Domination For Carr And Holian

So there we have it folks, yet another successful National Coursing Meeting from every aspect.

Derby Betting Blues
Yes we had one or two hard luck stories along the way but hey that is coursing! Hats off to all the officials at the meeting and ‘Team Powerstown’ on a top class meeting.

From a betting point of view the Derby was a very bad result. Even though I would be the first to put my hand up and praise Gerry Holian for the achievement of getting his two charges to the final, it was a bit of an anti-climax having no final.

All year we were listening to people saying there was no way the ‘Blades’ runners would be able to stay going. Holian put all that talk firmly to bed over the last three days. Reikers was always my choice and I think even seeing both runners in action over the three days, I wouldn’t change my mind.

We did our best all season to keep Reikers on side after his trial stake win but even when he was a single figure price, punters kept getting stuck in. Blades was never bigger then 8/1 after winning his trial stake in Rathkeale. He was always going to be a bad result.

After the Derby it was one nil to the punters!

Oaks The Saviour
The Oaks book saved the meeting for us! It looked for most of the way like it was going to be a pure disaster for us. Heading into the final morning, the book was full of bogeys! We had only two of the last eight bitches running for us, Our Miztique and Knockout Glory.

Someone up there was definitely looking down on us as we got the result that was badly needed. Knockout Glory kept sneaking under the radar all the way through and held her clock. She looked under pressure in the quarter final for most of the way but kept her eye on the game and got up for the win. Heading into the final she just shaded favoritism over the Brendan Matthews trained Gadget Queen. But she had the collar in the final and ran on to victory in style.

One all after the Oaks!

Howdododo Horror
Howdododo crucified us in the Champion Stakes! We got this one really wrong. 5/1 the winner was lunatic stuff. The fact he was meeting Skellig Shane in the opening course put us off him. There was no contest in the end and we were badly punished for our mistake.

That’s the way it goes and all we can do is learn from our mistakes. The Champion Bitch Stake was a welcome result. Skellig Jewel was the only lady they wanted in this one; they couldn’t see her beaten. In fairness it did look over heading into the final but Kevin Carr had other ideas in his head!

Killucan Rose really upset the party. She ended up a well deserving winner after showing top class early in the final and putting the final to bed from the start.

Weekend To Remember
We were thrilled with the turnover on on all four competitions. It was as strong and healthy as ever. We just came out on top over the three days to cover the expenses. You have to take your hat off to the training performances of both Gerry Holian and Kevin Carr.

It was a special weekend for both families and it’s one they will never forget. Judging by the videos on social media the McAuliffe family celebrated their win in style back in Athea. This is what coursing is all about! The stuff dreams are made of. Gerry Holian also left Clonmel with the Kitty Butler trophy in his grasp. Illwaitforyou was a popular winner for Noreen and Kieran McManus while Abunchoftools ran out a comfortable winner of the T.A Morris Stake for the Glory-Kilmhill syndicate and trainer John Browne.

So that’s it for another year! It’s time to start dreaming of next year already. It’s not the end of the road however as we still have the Tipperary Meeting and Irish Cup to look forward to. Thanks for all the support throughout the season, it is greatly appreciated by all of us in BoyleSports!