Gone to the dogs: Quieter than usual week for Offaly greyhounds

It was a much quieter week this time with all our top dogs limiting their racing to trialling in preparation for the Boylesports Irish Derby which is getting underway on Friday. Special trial dates had been organised and all the top trainers are taking advantage of these getting in some valuable preparation for the world's most valuable stake. The highlight of the week was the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish National Sprint in Dundalk where there was a big Offaly interest. There were numerous other less valuable stakes up for grabs around the tracks as well as some very classy Faithful County winners.

Early Week Racing

Thursday, Shelbourne Park, in the first round of the RCETS ON1 Open Unraced Stake, this much sought after contest is always of the highest order, with some classicly bred pups all vying for a winners cheque of €10k. This stake was won last year by Trinity Junior for Edenderry owner Jimmy Slevin who earlier this month won the Boylesports Champions Skakes and is short priced to lift the Derby trophy. Six heats went to traps, all won in fast times. The bar was set highest by Grouchos Duke for John Byrne in 29.23 by three lengths at 4/6 fav.

Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson had a double with Droopys Tico in 28.36 and Droopys Mandolin in 28.66.

One Offaly winner, in heat six, Mbappe showed a lot of pace when winning for Edenderry owner Paul Hanlon when getting into all sorts of bother and yet winning in 28.79 by three lengths at 1/1 fav with County Down trainer Brendan Mathews at the helm.

Friday Racing

Newbridge, in the final of the NTSC A4 sweepstake, the €1.4K first prize went to trainer Eric Thorpe as Black Emperor (Lenson Rocky - Moynevilla Lady) proved too good for his rivals by two lengths at 2/1 in 28.85.

Saturday Racing

Curraheen Park, Cork, in the semifinals of the Denis Murphy Memorial A2 525, Naughty Naughty won the first for Jack and Lillian McGann in 28.74 (10 fast) by a head at 7/4. The second heat was won in a faster 28.30 (10 fast) by Da Dapper Flynn for Pat Kiely by six lengths at 4/5 fav.

In Dundalk, in the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup, eight heats with some sensational clocks being done. Fastest of the eight was Who Have I for Michael O’Donovan in 20.94 by six lengths. Next fastest was antipost favourite to win this trophy Get It Right for Navan trainer Oliver Bray in 20.97 by seven lengths. Another to catch the eye was Hawkfield Ava for Keeley McGee, who stopped the clock in 21.05, with Carrick Aldo only a length behind for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn with David Murray training. All other Offaly dogs were sadly eliminated.

Limerick hosted a decent card with the highlight the final of the John Mitchell Memorial A3 cup. The €4.5k first place pot went to Rattlefence (Droopys Jet - Paper Doll) and trainer Paraic Campion in 28.59 by one length at 6/4. This was Rattlefench tenth career win and has now amassed over €9k in winning prize money. Ballinabola Una was second for Pat Buckley and received a cheque for €1.4K. 

Two Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an S2 400 yard sprint. So Its Wild was first back in kennels for Birr owner Paul Pardy in 21.96 (50 slow) by three lengths at 2/1 with Vincent McKenna training.

In an A3 525, April winner of an ON3 unraced stake Uncle Baldy was back in the winners enclosure for Cappincur owners Charlie Colgan and the Glafo Syndicate in a career best run of 29.53 (50 slow) by an ever extending eleven lengths at even money favourite. 

Sunday Racing

No Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar which is certainly a rarity. 

Upcoming Events

Thursday, quarter-finals of the RCETS Open unraced stake in Shelbourne.

Friday and Saturday, first round of the much anticipated Boylesports Irish Derby, with twelve heats on both nights.  Also on Saturday, final of the Denis Murphy Memorial in Cork and quarterfinals of the National Sprint in Dundalk.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Mbappe gets the vote this week after winning his heat of the RCETS Open Unraced Stake in Shelbourne on Thursday in 28.79 for Edenderry owner Paul Hanlon. 

Offaly Winners

Just three Offaly winners this week. Well done to all involved in any way.