Weekend switch proves a big success with fans

The decisive moments in the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel will take place on Powerstown Park this afternoon but with two days completed, it already feels like a success for the Irish Coursing Club.

Against opposition for a move to host the meeting across the weekend, with the finals on Monday, the attendance figures indicate the Club was vindicated in its decision. An increase of 21% for the opening day was all but matched on Sunday, reportedly 19% higher than the Tuesday of 2012.

So obvious was the improvement, even those against the move and equally uninfluenced by the figures, gave reluctant acknowledgment to the atmosphere which the packed stands brought.

Kevin Gleeson, of Lixnaw, a long-time supporter of coursing and track racing, and one who may have been forgiven for falling into that traditionalist category, may have lost his pitch in the stands but he appreciated the attraction of the weekend meeting.

“It definitely made a big difference to the attendance and the reports are that the night-life was better than ever,” said Gleeson. “People are resistant to change and that’s been the main reason for the opposition but it’s certainly proving a very good move.

“I’ve been coming here for a long time and been standing in the same spot but I couldn’t get into it on Saturday. That was a sure sign to me that the crowd was a lot bigger than usual, but it was cobvious from the moment I drove into the car park.

“No matter what event you look at these days, you can see they’re struggling to attract people, so if they can pack them in here, that can only been a good thing. It’s great to see.”

The bookmakers may not have seen an immediate increase in trade, but John and Michael Sheil, regulars at coursing meetings throughout the season, can see beyond this weekend. There were alternative options for the on-course layers but missing the meeting, regardless of the timing, was never a runner.

“We’d be here anyway,” said John. “We could have been in Punchestown but they wouldn’t attract a crowd like the one that is here now. We’re avid followers of coursing and when you’ve been to a number of smaller meetings throughout the year, you wouldn’t want to miss the big one.

“The betting has been down, but it’s not a reflection on the move to the weekend, it’s a sign of the times — it’s been going in that direction for a number of years.

“Nowadays, the bets are either a tenner or a deuce (€200) and very little in between. The casual punter is betting less now. I’ve no doubt it will come back, but it’s going to take time.

“If this meeting can continue to attract the sort of crowds that have been here on the first few days, then when the economic situation in the country turns, we’ll see the improvement. The more people here, the better chance we have to get a bet.

“I’m definitely in favour of it. It’s been a positive move and the attendance figures don’t lie.”

A keen form student, Sheil believes we’ll know the name of the Derby winner long before the final course takes place.

“I think it looks a match between Kyle Leigh and King Rooney, who meet in the first quarter-final but I’d slightly favour the Kyle dog.

“The Oaks looks wide open,” adds John, before his father offers Smart Ali as the most likely winner and Bend Your Knee as the best of the outsiders. “It’s 5-2 the field, which is something you very seldom see at this stage.

“All we want is for the gods to smile on us now, and not that multitude,” insists Michael, surveying the bustling crowd in the intimate betting ring.

But they already have.

The first Saturday of the national meeting will be remembered as a positive one for the bookies, with the monster gamble on Windfarm Hill (14s-5s), which was executed during the interval on Saturday afternoon, falling at the first hurdle, and the early cash for Needham Coin sunk before first light on Sunday. Popular punts Phoenix Frankel and Ballyverry John also failed to make the second day, leaving the layers with plenty to play with on Sunday.

It was a little different for the well-backed ladies, most of which survived the opening round, but yesterday’s defeat of outright favourite Blades Of Steel was just one of a number of afternoon upsets.

As mentioned by the Sheils, both classics remain wide open but there’s one certainty: if vocal support is the portent to success, then Thomas The Tank will surely win the Boylesports Derby.

Trained by Denis Lennon and running in the name of granddaughter Lucy Lennon Walsh, the imposing sort has stood out for his strong performances and, more noticeably, the sizable contingent screaming him on from the stands.

With the members of the Glamour Paws Syndicate, who spent a large part of 2009 lending their considerable support to Scolari Me Daddy, rowing in behind the youngster, he will raise the roof if landing the €35,000 winner’s prize. I hear the train a-coming ...