Gone to the dogs: Two Offaly winners as normality returns after derby excitement

After the exertions of the Boylesports Irish Derby over the last six weeks it was a much more sedate seven days this time around. There was still plenty of quality sweepstake action around most of the tracks including the semifinals of the Bosco Gleeson memorial A2 stake in Newbridge and the final of the Kasko ON2 Unraced in Thurles.

Early Week Racing

Monday, Enniscorthy, five heats in the first round of the Kiltrea Kennels Open Unraced Stake won last year by Unanimous Roxy for Pat Buckley. The classicly bred Glengar Star (Droopys Sydney-Singalong Sally) who is a full brother of Derby third place finisher Glengar Silent delivered the fastest time of the five for Buckley, again, in 28.98 by thirteen lengths at 6/4. Expect big improvement in this fellow over the next few week.

Friday Racing

Storm Amy on Friday put paid to a number of meetings including the matinee meeting in Mullingar and also the evening meeting in Galway where we normally get a few Faithful County winners.

Clonmel staged the first round of the Kasko ON2 Unraced Bitch Stake where Ballydoyle Tina was the fastest winner of the three heats in a magnificent 28.30 on debut by nine lengths at 5/4 joint fav.

Six heats in the first round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition and KGOBA A3 Stake in Kilkenny won last year by Lemon Mundy and Tom Lennon. Fastest of the sextet was Bogger Pro for Liam Peacock in 29.12 (20 slow) by five lengths at 11/4 joint fav.

The two best races in Newbridge were the semifinals of the Bosco Gleeson memorial A2 stake where both heats were won in an identical time of 29.08 (20 slow). Walkabout Pepper won the first for Paddy Flynn by one length at 2/1 with the second semi going to Aoife Artist for Shaun Conway by three lengths also at 2/1.

Two finals of note in Shelbourne. In the conclusion of the Barking Buzz A2 stake Actingdamaggot (Ballymac Cashout- Slippery Diva) won the €2.5k prize in 28.76 by five lengths at 5/4 for Ian Reilly. The €3k purse to the winner of the Sporting Press AO stake was won by Droopys Map (Droopys Sydney- Droopys Dancer) for Murt Leahy in 28.54 by two lengths at 4/5 fav.

Saturday Racing

Limerick, four heats in the first round of The Gammell Car Sales A3 Kennedy Cup at the Dock Road track won last year by Ashmore Susie for Paul Hennessy. Ballycowen Frank went fastest of the four for Dean Harpur when crossing the whitewash in 28.48 by seven lengths at 7/4. 

The best race in Mullingar was the final of the September ON2 unraced stake where Rydell High (Burgess Bucks-Lovelace) made it three wins from four starts in this competition in 29.89 (50 slow) by four lengths at 3/1. The €1.9k first prize went to trainer Morgan Crowley. First Offaly winner of the week was on the supporting card here as Coff Butler had his first career win in an S1 400 yard race for Mount Lucas owners Anthony and Elaine O’Grady in a fine 21.48 (20 slow) by four lengths at 5/4 fav.

Thurles held one of their big finals of the year with the conclusion of the Kasko Dog Foods ON2 Unraced Stake. The €2.2k  purse was won by Tromora Axel (Ballymac Cashout-Coolavanny Palm) for trainer Noel Hehir in 29.04 by five lengths at 4/5 fav. 

The semi-finals of the Open ON1 Ballymac Patriot @ Stud Unraced Bitch Stake in Shelbourne were certainly of the highest order. The first heat was won in 28.15 (10 fast) by Good Katie for John Kennedy by four lengths at 5/4 fav. The second heat winner was also most impressive as Ballymac Gwennie stopped the timekeeper’s watch in 28.28 (10 fast) winning by three lengths at 6/1 for Liam Dowling. One Offaly winner on the supporting card here also as Innfield Trinity won an A2 contest for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin with Barry Clancy in 28.66 (10 fast) by four lengths at 6/4 fav.

Sunday Racing

No Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar which is definitely a rarity. 


Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the Bosco Gleeson memorial A2 stake in Newbridge, semifinals of the Kasko ON2 Unraced bitch stake in Clonmel and quarterfinals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition and KGOBA A3 Stake in Kilkenny. Saturday, first round of the final classic of the year The Laurels in Cork.  Semifinals of The Gammell Car Sales A3 Kennedy Cup in Limerick and the final of the Ballymac Patriot @ Stud Open Unraced Bitch Stake in Shelbourne.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Innfield Trinity gets the nod this week for Timmy Slevin when winning in an A2 race in Shelbourne on Saturday in a decent 28.66 by four lengths. Fine display of tracking. Well deserved. 

SEE NEXT: Shinrone return to final as Belmont endure more semi-final heartbreak

Offaly Winners

There were just two Offaly winners this week. Well done to all involved.

D.C.