Gone to the dogs: Offaly greyhound still in hunt for Derby glory

The third round of the Boylesports Irish Derby dominated the weeks racing. However there was plenty of top class action around the tracks none more so than the first round of the Kasco A1 derby in Cork.  Some quality stakes were also at semifinal stages with some at the conclusion end of things. Plenty of prize money was up for grabs. Once again numerous Offaly winners.

Early Week Racing

In Enniscorthy, on Monday, a nine race card all sponsored by local businesses which is a credit to the track's management and supporters club to go out and get these in these difficult times for Greyhound racing. The card's highlights included the four quarterfinals of the Public House Open unraced stake.  Jaytee Etienne delivered the fastest run in 29.23 (20 slow) by two lengths at 6/4 fav for Gowran trainer Paul Hennessy.

First Offaly winner of the week was in Shelbourne Park on Thursday, in an A3 contest Coolemount Polly won for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 29.03 by three lengths at 6/4 joint fav.

Friday racing

Two more Offaly winners for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in Galway both in the sprint distance of 350 yards. In an ON2 unraced sprint Byrneville Spice won by six lengths in 19.71 (.05 slow) at 4/6 fav. In an S7 350 Ding Dang Sydney won for the North Offaly trainer in 19.48 (.05 slow) by one length at 7/2.

In Kilkenny, the best three races on their card were the semi-finals of the Boylesports A3 bitch stake with two qualifying from each heat for Fridays final. Local trainer Murt Leahy supplied two of these winners with Droopys Beta in 28.93 (10 slow) by four lengths at 4/5 fav and Ballybough Carol in 29.13 (10 slow) by nine lengths at 6/4. The final heat winner was Droopys Have It for Ian Reilly in 28.95 (10 slow) by two lengths at 4/5 fav.

One Offaly winner in Newbridge, in an A5 grade Coolree Best won for Daingean owner Eugene Glennon in 28.96 by two lengths at 4/5 fav.

In Shelbourne Park, in the first round of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate held for dogs knocked out of the first two rounds of the Derby proper. Six heats with some serious hounds on view. Pat Buckley won two of the heats with Ballymac Run having the fastest run for Liam Dowling in 29.34 by three lengths at 1/1 fav.

Saturday racing

No racing in Mullingar due to Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann taking place. As this is one of our best meetings weekly for Offaly  winners we drew a blank on Saturday.

Curraheen Park in Cork hosted the first round of the Kasco A1 Derby, won last year by Luna Rocket for Hennessy. Ten heats with a treble for local trainer Kieran Lynch and a double for Graham Holland. Fastest of the ten was Peroni Eoiny for Lynch in 28.20 by two lengths at 6/4. Galloping Sydney was next fastest for Holland in 28.28 by four lengths at 6/4 fav.

Limerick staged the semi-finals of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri-distance stake over the 575 trip. Lemon Magic won the first for Kilkenny owners Tim Lennon and Colin Rafter in 31.13 by ten lengths at 9/4. The second heat went to County Minor for Grerard White and Pat Butler in 31.70 by three lengths at 2/1. Final will be over the 600 yard trip. 

Besides the Derby in Shelbourne there was also a very valuable final taking place, the RCETS Open unraced stake which was won last year by Trinity Junior who is performing so well in this years derby  for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin. This year the €10k first prize went to Droopys Mandolin (Laughil Blake - Droopys Curio) in 28.45 by three lengths at 7/2. This Robert Gleeson trained bitch remained unbeaten in the stake and won all heats by an cumulative total of twelve lengths. Bright future ahead of this young pup. Unbeatable was second for Brendan Mathews and received a cheque for €3k.

In Kilcohan Park in Waterford, in the John Fitzgerald Memorial Open Bitch stake, the €5k first prize went to Clogheen Lass (Laughil Duke - Leevalley Dancer) for Graham Holland in 28.28 by three lengths at 5/4 fav. This was Clogheens sixteenth career victory and has now amassed over €17k in winning prize money.

Boylesports Irish Derby

Eight magnificent heats in Headquarters on Saturday night, with forty eight of the country's top dogs going to traps, some shocks, some very fancied dogs beaten with some eliminated plus as usual the cream came to the top in some heats.  Murt Leahy won two of the eight races with all the other major trainers with one each. Fastest of the heats was De Lahdedah for Kerry owner and trainer Liam Dowling in 29.15 by three lengths at 10/11 fav. Clonroosk Sydney was second here for Portlaoise owners Ray (Cookie) Conroy and Ollie Dunne and is improving with every run and could turn out to be a major player in this Derby yet.  Next fastest on the clock was Mr Chelms for Peter Cronin in 29.21 by three lengths at 9/4. Offaly dog Trinity Junior was second here for Timmy Slevin, also with Cronin training. Another to catch the eye and seems to be coming in under the radar and has won all his three heats so far is Scaglietti for Pat Guilfoyle winning on Saturday in 29.27 by three lengths at 8/13 fav.

Of the twenty four dogs left in this year’s competition, nine are out of leading stud dog Droopys Sydney, Pestana on three and Ballymac Best with two. Ten other stud dogs have one progeny each.

Graham Holland and Murt Leahy have three dogs left in the stake with two each belonging to Buckley, Guilfoyle, Dowling, Cronin and Jennifer O’Donnell. Down to twenty four dogs now and this is where the cream will rise, any dogs with any flaws now will be found out and eliminated. Early pace, speed and stamina are all needed now in order to make the semi-finals Saturday week.

Derby Betting

Coolavanny Hoffa remains strongest in the market with the sponsors Boylesports at 3/1 fav, with De Lahdedah at 5/1. Scagletti holds steady at 8/1 with Bobsleigh Dream and Mr Chelms at 12/1. 14/1 bar. Trinity Junior is still 20/1 for his Offaly connections and seems value at that. Clonroosk Sydney is available at 33/1 for his Portlaoise owners and followers.

Sunday Racing

One Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar for Clara owner P.J. Cleary as Lahinch Jake won an A4 race in 29.76 (50 slow) by five lengths at 3/1.

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the Boylesports A3 bitch stake in Kilkenny and quarterfinals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate in Shelbourne. Saturday, quarterfinals of the Boylesports Irish Derby in Shelbourne, second round of the Kasco A1 derby in Cork and final of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 tri-distance in Limerick. Loads of top class action to look forward to this week.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Trinity Junior get the nod this week for getting to the quarter-finals of the Boylesports Irish Derby for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin, on Saturday in Shelbourne, coming through a most difficult draw to qualify easily. Hoping for continued success.

Offaly Winners

Five Offaly winners this week.  Well done to all who contributed to these in any way.