Gone to the dogs: Classic winner for Edenderry owner

After the highs of the last six weeks with the English Derby culminating with Gaytime Nemo winning for Graham Holland you'd have thought it would be a quieter week but far from it with a brilliant Classic winner for the Faithful County. It’s been a long time since an Offaly dog has won a classic but on Saturday that drought ended.

It was a glorious night of racing in Shelbourne Park in front of a huge crowd  with the highlight being the final of the Boylesports Champion Stakes Open 550. It was a magnificent win for Trinity Junior (Laughil Blake - Oi Oi Upenalty) and for Offaly owner Timmy Slevin, although now residing in Carbury, Timmy is a proud Offaly and Edenderry man.

This was a special night for Offaly owned greyhounds as this prestigious trophy had never came to Offaly since its inauguration in 1979. Surrounding counties have won it with the likes of Hurry On Bran for Mullingar trainer Francie Murray in 1980, Debbycot Lad for Clonaslee owner Cyril Morris in 1982 and Droopys Maldini for Rathangan trainer Frazer Black in 2005.  His winning time of 29.34 is top class. This Peter Cronin trained black dog will surely now be back to tackle the Boylesports Irish Derby in a few weeks  with the sponsors quoting  him at 25/1 to lift the trophy.  Surely worth a punt.

The €20k first prize on Saturday was a just reward for Timmy who has put a lifetime in dog racing. He tells me that he has a litter from Oi Oi Upenalty at eight months old from Brett Lee and a litter of pups nine weeks old to Coolavanny Hoffa and is really looking forward to getting these to the track. If they are as good as Trinity they will be special.

Great win and great times for Timmy.

The Other Kobe was second, two lengths behind Trinity for Jennifer O’Donnell and got a cheque for €5k. 

There was plenty of top action around all the tracks with over €50k given out in prize money.

Another decent return of other  Offaly winners also in the mix in another super week of racing.

Early Week Racing

Enniscorthy, Monday, in the final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Open Unraced Stake, the €2.5k first prize went to Ballyroe Elsie (Lenson Bocko - Rural Romance) in 29.08 (20 slow) by one length at 2/1 with Patrick Whelan training.

First Offaly winner of the week was in Shelbourne on Thursday, in the final race on the card, in an A3 grade, Highview Treat won for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 29.14 by three lengths at a short price of 1/2 fav.

Friday Racing

Dundalk, in an SO 400 yard sprint, Carrick Aldo won by two lengths for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn in 21.29 with Mullingar trainer David Murray guiding.

Galway, in an A3 contest, Ekin Su showed the field a clean pair of heels when winning by eight lengths in 29.11 (10 slow) also  for Edenderry owners Paul and David Hanlon.

In the first race of a decent card in Newbridge, an A3 550 yard race, Glenlara Blue recorded his fourth career win for Ballinagar owner Liam Kirley and nephew Thomas Garry in a swift 30.24 by four lengths at 1/2 fav.

John Mitchell Bookmakers and KGOBA sponsored the entire meeting in Kilkenny with numerous sweepstakes at semifinal stages. The best of these was in an A1 grade, Kapuka Warrior won the first for Karol Ramsbottom in 28.59 (10 slow) by one length at 4/5 fav. The second semi went to Liam Peacock as Bogger Dusty stopped the clock in 28.61 (10 slow) by five lengths at 2/1.

The most valuable final on Friday was in Tralee with the running of the Friends Of University Hospital Kerry A2 stake. The €3k first prize went to Millridge Nadia (Bickerton Boom - Sign On Katie) for Stephen O’Mahony in 28.55 by three lengths at 7/2.

Saturday Racing
Curraheen Park, Cork, in the semi-finals of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open 525, the first heat went to Bredas Wood for Matthew Harte in 28.23 (10 fast) by one length at 1/1 fav. The second semi also went to the favorite as Up The Style made it eight wins from eleven starts for Robert Gleeson in a top class 27.94 (10 fast) by two lengths at 4/5.

First Offaly winner on Saturday was in Dundalk.  So Its Rapid had his tenth career win for Birr owner Paul Pardy in an A2 contest in 28.89 by five lengths with Vincent McKenna training. 

Two Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an S7 350 yard sprint, Des The Bucko won for Edenderry duo Pio Ennis and Oisin O’Grady in 19.38 (20 slow) by three lengths with Deirdre Barry as trainer. 

In the final race on the card, an A3 grade Affable Aoife made it three wins from three starts for Cappincur owners Gemma and Justin Colgan in a fine 29.51 (50 slow) by two lengths at 4/1. Easily the fastest time of the night.

The best two races in Thurles were the semifinals of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Open 525, Cabra Kronk won the first for Paddy Scally in 29.07 (20 slow) by three lengths at 5/4 fav. The second heat went to Ballyhimikin Rex in a much faster 28.64 (20 slow) by six lengths at 3/1 for Billy and John Dunne. 

In Kilcohan Park, in Waterford, in the final of the Wexford A2 Bitch Stake,the €3k first prize went to Burgess Anne (Pestana - Burgess Madam) in 28.60 at 1/1 fav for Cork owners Sheila Spillane and J.J. Fennelly.

In the final of the Boylesports Champion Plate at Shelbourne, Ballymac Walt won in 29.39 by a neck at 11/4 with a purse of €3.5k going to Kerry and Liam Dowling. 

In the semi-finals of the RPGTV Corn Cuchalainn Open 750, Garfiney Blaze won the first for Graham Holland in 41.20 by two lengths at 5/6 fav with Kinturk Road the second for Dowling again in 41.02 by one length at 6/4.

Sunday Racing

Three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, all for the Jones’s and their  Moneygall Kennels. In an A6 race Lingrawn Angie won for Kevin Jones in 29.77 by one length at 5/1. In an A4 grade, Lingrawn Billy was first over the whitewash for Mary Jones in 30.07 by one length at 4/1. Our final Offaly winner of the week was in an A3 contest, Lingrawn Grace was first back in kennels for Liam Jones in 29.56 by two lengths at a big price of 7/1. All races in Mullingar were rated  .50 slow. 

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, Dundalk International at the Louth track. Friday, numerous finals in Kilkenny all sponsored by John Mitchell Bookmakers and KGOBA.
Saturday, Shelley Fennelly Memorial final in Cork, Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup in Thurles and RPGTV Corn Cuchalainn Open 750 in Shelbourne.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Easy decision this week as Trinity Junior won  a classic in the Boylesports Champion Stakes for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin on a special night in Shelbourne on Saturday. Who knows, Derby next.

Offaly Winners

Eleven Offaly winners this week, well done to all involved in any small way.