Gone to the dogs: Two Offaly dogs still in hunt for derby

Ninety six dogs went to traps across both Friday and Saturday in the second round of the Boylesports Irish Derby. Racing was of top order in Shelbourne with plenty of top class action around the provincial tracks including the final of the Casey Caravan and Camping Open Unraced Bitch Stake in Waterford, final of the Roma casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 in Limerick and final of the Galloping Kennels A3 Stake in Cork. Offaly winners strike rate was high including one in the Derby on Friday.

Early Week Racing

Monday, Enniscorthy, first round in the Cushie Kennels Open Unraced Stake won last year by Barnfield James and Kevin McLean. Three heats with Ballinabola Ruth fastest of the three for Brendan Murphy in a fine 28.71 by ten lengths at 6/4 second fav.

An interesting card in Shelbourne on Thursday highlighted by the first round of the Open Novice Unraced Dash 350 yard sprint. Three very fast heat winners with The Other Arri setting the bar highest for Jennifer O’Donnell in a superb 18.51 by four lengths at 1/1 fav. In the final of the Guys and Dolls A2 Stake at the same meeting Dear Me (Premier Fantasy-Dear Oh Dear) won the €1.75k pot for Laurence Jones in a fast 28.28 by four lengths at 4/6 fav. First Offaly winner of the week was also at this meeting as Aussie Asset won an A4 race for Kinnitty owner Jeannette Mackenzie in 29.04 by one length at 3/1.

Friday Racing

Only Offaly winner was at the matinee SIS meeting in Mullingar. Apache Gem won in an A5 grade for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 29.82 (50 slow) by nine lengths at 7/2 recording his seventh career win.

Saturday Racing

The only Faithful County winner on Saturday was in Mullingar. In an A5 contest Kilbride Duchess won by two lengths in 29.66 (50 slow) at 1/1 fav for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon. 

Waterford staged the final of the Casey Camping and Caravan Park  Open Unraced Bitch Stake where the €4K first prize was won by Lone Calling (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Pete). The Michael O’Donovan trained pup won by three lengths at 5/4 fav in a super 28.14 (20 fast) 

The final of the Roma casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 was the highlight of a decent card in Limerick. The €4.5k first prize was won by Delicate Lass (Ballymac Cashout-Hugh Dream) for Mary Kennedy in 41.92 (20 fast) by one length at 5/2. This was the eighth career win for Delicate Lass and second success in a stake final having won the Kingdom Stadium Open 750 in Tralee at the start of August.

Curraheen Park in Cork hosted the final of the Galloping Kennels A3 Stake where Parkview Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Trudi) won the €4K first prize for local Cork specialist Kieran Lynch. The winning time was 28.31 (10 fast) by two lengths at 6/4 fav. 

Boylesports Irish Derby

Eight tremendous heats on both Friday and Saturday. Big crowds, great racing no better place to be over the weekend than at Headquarters watching quality action.

Friday, there was a double for champion trainer Graham Holland on the night including last year's Derby winner and bookmakers favourite to retain his crown Bockos Diamond who delivered the fastest time, in 29.40 winning by eight lengths, at 4/11 fav. Magical Mag was second fastest winner for Pat Guilfoyle in 29.42 by a neck at 11/10 fav. One brilliant Offaly  winner in heat six as Sallagh Curly stopped the clock in 29.72 for Croghan owner Mick Lynch by three lengths at 6/1 with Pat Buckley training. Some quality dogs high up in the betting exited the competition on Friday including Droopys Patriot, Ballymac Dancia, our own Carrick Scholsey and Toolmaker Josepe.

Saturday, Heat nine to heat sixteen were completed on Saturday with a double for Gowran trainer Paul Hennessy in Priceless Romeo in 29.63 and Barefoot On Song in 29.90. Fastest on the night was in heat nine as Bombay Pat scorched around in 29.17 for Holland winning by two lengths at 1/5 fav. Next fastest on the clock was Toolmaker King for Robert Gleeson in 29.43. Not as many shocks on Saturday with most of the  dogs at top of betting qualifying with the exception of Hackney Corner for Pat Buckley who was seemed to get a slight injury and was out of the reckoning.

Derby Betting

Before the second round got underway on Friday the sponsors Boylesports had Bockos at 4/1 fav with Bombay Pat at 8/1. There were three dogs at 14/1 Proper Heiress, Carrick Scholsey and Droopys Patriot. Cheap Sandwiches and Hackney Corner were 16/1 with 20/1 bar. After the escapades of the sixteen heats the betting on Sunday morning had three of Graham Holland dogs at the shortest prices, Bockos had shortened to 7/2, Bombay Pat at 4/1 and Cheap Sandwiches was at 12/1. Proper Heiress was 14/1 for English trainer Mark Wallis with De Lahdedah at 16/1 for Liam Dowling. 20/1 bar. Plenty of value there, finding the right one is the conundrum. 

Offaly Dogs In Derby

Three Offaly dogs made the starting line up for the second round. Our leading hope Carrick Scholsey sadly exited the stake having no luck in running for owner Thomas Glynn and finished a gallant fourth. Sallagh Curly was a superb winner for Mick Lynch in a fine display of tracking when winning his heat by three lengths in 29.72. Highview Plan was our remaining hope in heat fifteen on Saturday and ran brilliantly for trainer Gerry Merriman and Edenderry owner Peter Killaly to get up to third and qualify despite breaking three lengths behind the field. Probably no dog in the Derby coming home stronger than this fellow but really has to sharpen up at the traps if he wants to stay involved. Still a fine run. Two remain.

Sunday Racing

Three Offaly winners at the afternoon meeting in Mullingar with all three being regular attendees on the winners rostrum. In an A2 race Killeshill Ranger had his thirteenth career win for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 29.62 (50 slow) by a neck at 3/1. In an A4 grade Foulkscourt Best also had his thirteenth win for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.76 (50 slow) by one length at 11/4.

In the last race on the card Lahinch Blaze had his twenty first win of his career in an A5 contest for P.J. Cleary in 30.04 (50 slow) also by a neck at 9/2. 

Upcoming Events

Monday, Enniscorthy, semi-finals of the Cushie Kennels Open Unraced stake. Thursday, Shelbourne, semifinals of the Open Novice Unraced Dash 350 Sprint. Friday,  first round of the Galway Oaks. Saturday, third round of the Boylesports Irish Derby at Shelbourne.

Offaly Dog Of The Week

Easy decision this week with Sallagh Curly winning his heat in the Boylesports Irish Derby on Friday night in a fine display of running coming home three lengths in front in 29.72 for Croghan owner Mick Lynch. Super performance, super dog.


One For The Notebook

Although not winning his heat in the Derby Highview Plan showed some finishing speed to get up to third in a very competitive field while being way off the pace at halfway. With only eight races ran before entering the Derby he is showing for his owner Peter Killaly and trainer Gerry Merriman that this young dog has a serious future probably over the longer distances and certainly one to keep an eye on. A future champion no doubt. 

SEE NEXT: Tullamore book semi-final slot as six qualifiers emerge in Offaly SFC

Offaly Winners

Seven Offaly winners last week. Congrats to all connections.