GONE TO THE DOGS: Offaly dogs were once again to the fore with plenty of winners
Finals of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks in Shelbourne
THE two standout features this week were the finals of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks in Shelbourne and the final of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby in Towcester where the five Irish dogs went to trap against one sole English trained dog.
Plenty of other valuable top class sweepstakes action around the country.
Offaly dogs were once again to the fore with plenty of winners and some of our younger dogs certainly catching the eye.
Early Week Racing
Monday, Enniscorthy, first round of the WGOBA Open Unraced Stake. Six heats with one winner setting the bar very high as Untold Sterling stopping the clock in a serious 28.58, by seven lengths, at 4/7 fav for the Untold Racing Syndicate. Two of the heats were won by Offaly dogs with both trained by Pat Buckley. Sallagh Curly won for Croghan owner Mick Lynch in 29.19 by one length at 1/2 fav with Sallagh Larry winning for Naula Lynch in 29.47 by three lengths at 2/5 fav. Expect big improvements in these two well bred pups over next few weeks.
Thursday, Shelbourne, in the final of the Upcoming Events A4 Stake there was a fabulous Offaly winner. Highview Plan (Ballymac Cashout-Highview Moment) won for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman and Edenderry owner Peter Killaly, in 28.85 (30 slow) by five lengths, at 1/1 with a cheque of €1.5k going their way. Back in Enniscorthy on Thursday, in the final of the A2 April Stakes, Fairly Giddy (Cushie Jet-Sweet Itch) won the €4K first prize after going through the stake unbeaten and winning the final for Margaret Stafford in 29.14 by a short head at 5/2.
Friday Racing
First Offaly winner of the weekend was at the afternoon SIS meeting in Mullingar. Bailie Boy won an A6 race for Paddy McCormack by six lengths at 5/2 in 29.68 (60 slow).
The most valuable final on Friday was in the Kingdom Racing Track on Tralee's Brewery Road with the conclusion of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Race Of Champions. The €15k first prize was won by last week's track record breaker Seven Beach (Pestana-Whitings Gift) who broke the clock again winning by a comfortable four lengths against a quality field in a cracking 29.09 (10 fast) at 13/8 fav for Jennifer O’Donnell. This has brought the veteran Seven Beach's career earnings to over €60k and has proved a great servant to the O’Donnell kennels. Callaway Knegare was second for Owen McKenna winning a cheque for €4K.
Two finals in Shelbourne. In an A2 decider, Innfield Rapid (Ballymac Best-Camera Shy) won the €2.25k first prize for Barry Clancy in 28.61 by a neck at 3/1. In the final of the Barking Buzz A1 stake Doctor Darcy (Good News-Pennys Bobbyjo) was first over the line and went home with a cheque for €2.5k for trainer Karol Ramsbottom in 28.65 by two lengths at 2/1.
Saturday Racing
Curraheen Park Cork, the final of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced Stake was the feature event of a decent card. The €10k first prize was won by the immaculately bred Toolmaker King (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Curio) for Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson in a fine 28.13 by two lengths at 4/7 fav. Ballymac Lake was second for Liam Dowling winning €4K.
The first round of the Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup Open Sprint were the standout races in Limerick. This stake was won last year by Burgess Jack for Sarah Shannon. Four heats with Tinahue Pappone setting the bar highest for John Fox in 18.57 (.05 fast) by three lengths at 2/1. Also in Limerick in the quarterfinals of the Time Club Graders A4 Derby Daring Rambo was quickest of the quartet for Michael Meade in 28.64 (10 fast) by three lengths at 4/1.
The six best races in Mullingar, this week, were the first round of the Pat Curtin A4 Memorial cup won in 2024 by Clonfert Annie for John Young. Three of the six heats were won by Offaly dogs with a double for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon. Kilbride Duchess was his first in 29.69 (50 slow) by four lengths at 6/4 fav with Remeniss his second in 29.72 (50 slow) by three lengths also at 6/4 fav. Paddy McCormack supplied the other heat winner as Fahy Shop stopped the clock in 29.61 (50 slow) by six lengths at 3/1.
There was a brilliant night's racing in Shelbourne Park with quality action from the first to the last race. The standout race was undoubtedly the final of the Sporting Press Online Edition Oaks final. In a messy race with a big collision at the first bend Carrigmore Freya (Droopys Sydney-Carrigmore Dizzy) avoided all trouble to clear the field to win the €25k first prize, in 28.17 by seven lengths at 9/4 fav, for Graham Holland. Sadies Lucy was second for Paul Duffy and won €7.5k with Blackeyed Turbo third for Kevin Losty with a cheque for €3.5k heading to the Clonard trainer.
In the first round of the Corn Cuchalainn Open 750 kindly sponsored by the Beatty family in Killeigh named in memory of the great greyhound enthusiast Donal Beatty. It’s a fitting honour that a stake of the caliber of the Corn Cuchalainn to honour Donal who spent his not long enough life with greyhounds. Donal's son Sean is keeping the kennels up to the usual high standards and if anyone is looking for pups or thinking of starting a syndicate look no further than Sean who will steer you in the right direction. Four heats with twenty four dogs all vying to get their hands on the trophy won last year by the outstanding stayer Tuono Charlie and Sharon Hunt. Braveheart Bambi was fastest of the four for Pat Buckley in 41.64 by two lengths at 5/4 fav.
Also in headquarters in the semifinals of the Shelbourne Champion 550 Razldazl Edward won the first for Dolores Ruth in 29.74 by a neck at 3/1. The second semi was won by Left Corner Back for Thomas Leahy in a faster 29.43 by three lengths at 10/11 fav.
English Derby
Five Irish dogs went into the final of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby all with a sporting chance competing against one English trained dog. Greyhounds aren't an exact science as the Patrick Janssens trained Droopys Plunge (Droopys Sydney- Droopys Sweet) stole the show when coming from behind and get up on the rails to record a great victory for the English fraternity on home soil.The winning prize of £175k was a sweet win for the 10/1 outsider of the field in a time of 28.78. Bockos Diamond was second for Holland and received a cheque of £25k to add to his Irish Derby win. Last year's winner De Lahdedah was third for Liam Dowling with a prize of £12.5k heading to Kerry. It was undoubtedly another great English Derby while without an Irish win having five in the final was a great result. Expect to see all these super dogs in the Boylesports Irish Derby which is not far away now. Can’t wait.
Sunday Racing
One Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. In an A4 contest Land Cruiser had his fifth career win for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.80 (50 slow) by three lengths at 15/8 fav.
Upcoming Events
Monday, quarterfinals of the WGOBA Open Unraced in Enniscorthy.
Saturday, semifinals of the Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup Open Sprint and semifinals of the Time Club Graders Derby both in Limerick. Quarterfinals of the Pat Curtin A4 Memorial in Mullingar. Semifinals of the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchalainn Open 750 and final of the Champions 550 both in Shelbourne.
One For The Notebook
Sallagh Curly looks an interesting prospect who won a heat in the first round of the WGOBA Open unraced stake in Enniscorthy on Monday for Mick Lynch in a good 29.19. Expect to be reading a lot more about this young dog over the coming months.
Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week
Highview Plan gets the nod this week for winning the final of the Upcoming Events A4 stake in Shelbourne on Thursday for Gerry Merriman when on a very slow track he won by five lengths in 28.85 (30 slow). Super performance.
Offaly Winners
Eight Offaly winners this week, well done to all involved.
DC