Gone to the dogs: Great wins for Offaly dogs

The standout fixture of the week was the National Puppy Derby final, in Shelbourne, on Saturday night. A tremendous night’s racing at headquarters with another magnificent winner.

Most of the open class dogs around the country are now getting ready for the Laurels in Cork and then the Derby in Shelbourne which both are just around the corner. Once again some very classy Offaly winners around various tracks with Mullingar providing the majority of the winners.

Early Week Racing.

The fourth open unraced stake of the year got underway in Enniscorthy on Monday night with The Time Greyhound Nutrition Stake. Three heats with some super pups on view from fine Bloodlines. Fastest of the three was Mayflower Sienna for local trainer Anton Butler in 29.04 (20 slow) winning impressively by twelve lengths at 1/1 fav.

Friday Racing

The best four races in Kilkenny were the quarterfinals of the Jag Building Services and KGOBA A1 Kilkenny Derby. Local specialist Murt Leahy once again supplied the fastest winner as Julies Gem stopped the timer in a fine 28.59 (10 slow) by four lengths at 2/1.

In Newbridge, first Offaly winner of the week was in the first round of an A2 Sweepstake. Parkrun was first over the whitewash for Rhode owner P.J. Cocoman in 29.08 winning by five lengths at 4/1.

Two more Faithful County winners in Shelbourne both for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman. In the semifinal of the Go Greyhound Racing A3 stake Highview Mighty backed up last weeks win with another fine performance when winning by two lengths at 1/1 fav in 28.52. In an A1 race Brayview Jet was Gerry’s other winner when crossing the line in 28.67 by two lengths at 4/1.


Saturday Racing

Limerick, first round of the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750, won last year by Kinturk Road and Liam Dowling. Just three heats this year with the leading stayer in the land Tuono Charlie once again setting the standard as he broke the track record here as he did in Tralee a month ago when winning this time in a magnificent 40.73 by ten lengths at 2/5 with Sharon Hunt training. This was his twentieth win and injury free, it is hard to see any dog stopping him winning this stake or any other stake over the extended distance in the near future. Heat three in this competition went to an Offaly dog as Leeloo won for Croghan owner Naula Lynch, in 42.41 by three lengths, at 6/4. In the quarter-finals of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri Distance A2 Stake, Thats It Jack once again went fastest for Liam Cahill and Tony Lacey in 30.98 over the 575 trip winning by one length at 4/5 fav.

In Mullingar, in the final of the Vincent Leavy Memorial A3 Tri Distance stake over the 600 yard trip, Paddy McCormack had the first two home as Ripley Delight (Droopys Sydney-Fork Lightning) won the €1.25k first prize in 33.63 (60 slow) at 1/1 fav by one length from stable companion Fahy Shop. 

In the semi-finals of the John Maloney ON2 Unraced Stake, Kilbride Tomcat was easily the fastest heat winner for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon in a decent 29.26 (50 slow) by four lengths at 2/5 fav.  In an A5 grade later down the card Clonearl Dasher made it two wins from two starts for Daingean owner Conor McGrath in 30.01 (50 slow) by six lengths at 1/2 fav.

Two top class stakes were at semi-final stage in Kilcohan Park in Waterford. Firstly the Casey Caravan and Camping Park Open Unraced where the first heat went to last week’s fastest winner in the first round Droopys Maximum for Johnny Linehan in a super 28.44 by four lengths at 1/2 fav. The second semi was won by Aghaburren Bucko for Mossy O’Leary in 28.79 by six lengths at 3/1.  In the semifinals of the Dave Collins Memorial Munster Oaks Open 525, heat one went to Mustang Fever for Pat Guilfoyle in 28.49 by four lengths at 5/2 with the remaining semi going to Deelish Nora for Ginger McGee in 28.54 by five lengths.

The best race of the week was undoubtedly the final of the Time Juvenile Derby and what a winner we had as Droopys Knegare (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Sweet) made it four wins on the bounce in this competition. This time he had to come from behind and getting up to win in a magnificent 27.96 by four lengths at 1/2 fav. This Owen McKenna super hound looks like the dog they will all have to beat in the Boylesports Irish Derby in the coming months, surely there's not a faster dog in training at the moment. The €25k first prize here is a just reward for probably the best winner of the Puppy Derby in years. Injury free expect to see a lot more of this fellow on various winners' podiums over the next couple of years. Innfield Destiny was second for Barry Clancy and received a handsome cheque for €6k.

Two brilliant Offaly winners on the supporting card, in the final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition AAO 550, Dalgan (Droopys Sydney-Ballybrack Gem) won the €3.5k first prize for the Euro-Dollar Syndicate and trainer Iggy Daly in a career best run of 29.58 (20 fast) by one length and returned at an amazing price of 18/1. No doubt the Ballinagar owners took full advantage of the bookmakers generosity. 

In the semi-finals of the IGRT AO Dual Distance Stake over the 575 trip, Glenlara Blue showed magnificent courage and speed to win in a fine 31.14, despite being badly hampered at the first two bends, winning by two lengths at 9/2, for Geashill owners Liam Kirley and nephew Thomas Garry. 

Sunday racing

There was no Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar on Sunday or the evening meetings in Lifford and Clonmel which is certainly a rarity. 

Upcoming Events

Friday, semi-finals of the Jag Building Services and KGOBA A1 Kilkenny Derby, semifinals of the A2 sweepstakes in Newbridge and final of the Go Greyhound Racing A3 stake in Shelbourne.

Saturday, the first round of another classic gets underway as the dogs in the Laurels in Cork go to traps. Semifinals of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 tri distance and semifinals of the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 both in Limerick, final of the John Maloney ON2 Unraced in Mullingar. Final of the Casey Caravan and Camping Park ON1 Open Unraced and final of the Dave Collins Memorial Munster Oaks both in Waterford and final of the IGRT AO Dual Distance in Shelbourne. Loads of top class action to look forward too this week. 


Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Easy decision this week as Dalgan was a one length winner of the Time Greyhound Nutrition AAO Open 550 final in Shelbourne on Saturday night in a brilliant 29.58 for  Ballinagar owners The Euro-Dollar Syndicate and trainer Iggy Daly. Fine Performance. Surely tackling the Derby next is now on this fellows agenda. 

Offaly Winners

Nine Offaly winners this week. Well done to all connections.