Gone to the dogs: Big win for Edenderry owned greyhound

It has been a super year so far for Offaly dogs, winning the Champion Skakes in early July, the Champion Open Unraced in Kilkenny in May and now another classic to our list as an Offaly owned dog won the best sprint competition on both sides of the Irish Sea in Dundalk on Tuesday. We also have a dog into the semifinals of the Boylesports Irish Derby so great days for the Faithful County dogs.

Early Week Racing

Monday, Enniscorthy, in the semi-finals of the Public House Open unraced stake, One Yayalady won the first for Mairead Corcoran making it three wins from three starts in 29.24 (20 slow) by six lengths at 6/4. The second semi went to Edermine Bonner for Thomas and Patrick O’Gorman in 29.12 (20 slow) by a neck at 7/2.

There was an extra nights racing in Newbridge on Monday- sadly no Offaly winners. The highlight of the card were the semifinals of the This Runs Deep A1 stake, Pennys Hun won the first for Eugene Price in. 28.81 (20 fast) by a neck at 4/1 with Mosey Lil winning the second for Keith Powell in 28.87 (20 fast) by two lengths at 3/1.

It was a special night in Dundalk on Tuesday for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn as his dog Carrick Aldo (Droopys Sydney - Minnies Hazel) flew the lids in the final of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup, and was never in trouble when winning the €20k first prize by three lengths in 20.80. In so doing he won his seventh race in nine starts. When you consider that Carrick Fergie won the Champion Open Unraced in Kilkenny earlier in the year for Glynn, and Trinity Junior won the Champion Stakes in Shelbourne in early July,and is in the semifinals of the Derby for Timmy Slevin, it’s proving to be one of the best times for Offaly owned/trained dogs in years.

For his trainer David Murray this was a special win as he was doing something his father Francie did in 1995 in winning this classic with a dog called Analysis which also had a big Offaly connection as he was bought out of Charlie Colgan training facility in Cappincur and bred by Ballinagar man Liam Kirley. Who Have I was second to Carrick Aldo and won his trainer Michael O’Donovan a cheque for €5k.

One Offaly winner on the supporting card, in an AAO 575 Stellas Sparkle won for another Edenderry trainer, Paul Cronin in 31.07 by two lengths at 4/7 fav.

Shelbourne, Thursday, in the semi-finals of the Barking Buzz App Open unraced stake, three heats with two qualifying from each for Thursday final. Druids All Go won the first for Keeley McGee in 28.90, Swords Hudson the second for Graham Holland in 28.79, and The Other Donny the last in 28.89 by two lengths, at 5/4 fav for Killenaule trainer, Jennifer O’Donnell.

One final on the night was the Talking Dogs A3 stake. The €1.5k first prize went to Grouchos Vic (Ballymac Vic - Dorotas Irena) in 28.44 by four lengths at 2/1 for David Carroll and Luke O’Connell.

The best race in Limerick was the final of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri-Distance Stake, with the final over the 600 yard trip. The €3k first prize pot went to County Minor (Newinn Taylor - Humble Star) in 32.52 by a neck at 2/1 for Gerard White and Pat Butler.

Boylesports Irish Derby

Twenty four became twelve on a super night of racing at Headquarters. Four fantastic heats in front of a fine crowd on the tips of their toes watching the best dogs in Ireland strutting their stuff. First heat went to De Lahdedah for Kerry trainer Liam Dowling in 29.31 by seven lengths at 7/4. The second heat went to Bens Teddy for Pat Buckley  in 29.39 by five lengths at 2/1. The fastest  winner was in heat three as The Other Kobe won by three lengths at 5/1 in 29.15 with Jennifer O’Donnell training. Edenderry dog Trinity Junior was second here for Timmy Slevin and Waterford trainer Peter Cronin and qualified comfortably for Saturdays semi-finals. The final heat went to Portlaoise owners Ray (Cookie) Conroy and Ollie Dunne as Clonroosk Sydney made best use of his trap one draw to win by a head in 29.55 at 3/1 with Mathew Harte training. 

Friday Racing

Newbridge, in the final of the This Runs Deep A1 stake, Resurgan (Droopys Sydney - Barn Swallow) was first home for Eugene Price in 28.72 by six lengths at 6/4 with €715 going his way.

Saturday Racing.

Curraheen Park in Cork staged the second round of the Kasco A1 Derby, six heats with not much separating all six on the clock. The two standout performances were Jacktavern Bolt for Graham Holland in 28.42 by five lengths at 5/4 and Burgess Bolger for Sheila Spillane and J.J. Fennelly in 28.47 by three lengths at 5/2.

Of the twelve dogs remaining, Jennifer O’Donnell has two while all the remaining top trainers have one each. 

Six of the remaining twelve dogs are from top stud dog Droopys Sydney while Ballymac Best has two. One each for Newinn Taylor, Laughil Blake, Pestana and Lenson Bucko. 

In the quarter-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate, Neon Lights set the standard highest as he won in 29.69 by one length at a generous 25/1 for Alan Byrne. 
Derby Betting

De Lahdedah has replaced Coolavanny Hoffa as favourite at 2/1 with Hoffa now at 7/2 with the sponsors Boylesports. The Other Kobe is now 6/1 after his storming performance on Saturday. Edenderry dog Trinity Junior has come in ten points and is now 10/1 along with Bens Teddy. 14/1 bar. Clonroosk Sydney can be backed at 20/1 and no doubt some big bets stand to be won around Portlaoise if he comes up trumps

Sunday Racing

Two Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, in an A5 contest Lahinch Roxy won for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 30.15 (50 slow) by a neck at 4/1.
Our final winner of the week was in an A3 grade as Horseleap Edel won for Sean McGuinness in 29.74 (50 slow) also by a neck at 7/4 fav. 
Upcoming Events

Thursday, final of the Barking Buzz App Open unraced in Shelbourne.

Saturday, quarterfinals of the Kasco A1 Derby in Cork,  semifinals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate and Semifinals of the Boylesports Irish Derby also in Shelbourne.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Straight forward pick this week as Carrick Aldo won the National Sprint in Dundalk on Tuesday for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn in a career best run of 20.80. Super performance.

Offaly Winners

There were just four Offaly winners this week, well done to all winning connections.