Gone to the dogs: Six Offaly winners

Another super week of open class  racing on both sides of the Irish Sea with the quarter-finals of the Irish Oaks in Shelbourne and the second round of the English Derby in Towcester dominating proceedings. As the norm there was quality racing around all tracks with some fine displays from Offaly dogs including one outstanding performance.

Early Week Racing

Monday, Enniscorthy, first round of another Open Unraced Stake at the Wexford track, The Elite Black @ Stud May Unraced. Eight Heats with Ballinabola Jake setting the bar highest in heat one when stopping the timer in 28.95 (20 slow) winning by seven lengths at 2/5 fav for Pat Buckley.

Friday Racing

First Offaly winner of the week was in Galway, in an S4 325 sprint Seekers Jet won for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in 18.07 (.05 slow) by three lengths.

In Kilkenny, in the first round of the Billy and Mary Ramsbottom Memorial ON2 Unraced stake, won last year by Barefoot Amber and Paul Hennessy. Four heats with Hello Diego going fastest for Gowran trainer  Hennessy again in 29.09 (10 slow) by six lengths at 7/4.

Our next Faithful County winner was in Shelbourne Park, in an A3 contest, Brayview Jet won for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman 28.66 by six lengths at 6/4 fav.

One of the Country’s top stakes for juvenile dogs got underway in Clonmel, the first round of the Kasco Produce Stakes, won last year by Burgess Supreme for J.J. Fennelly and Sheila Spillane. First run in 1939, always in Clonmel, except between 1999 and 2002 when it didn’t move out of Tipperary but up the road to Thurles. Some top class hounds have won this historic stake including Newinn Taylor in 2020, Duke Special in 2009, Droopys Kewell in 2001, Ardaville Bridge in 1990 and the great Game Ball in 1983.

The history books show that there has only been the one Offaly winner which was the super  Glenmoira for Liam Kirley in 1992.  All the top trainers have won this stake including Matt O’Donnell with three wins, Owen McKenna and Graham Holland also with three, Ger McKenna and Pat Guilfoyle both with two. Eight heats on Friday with a treble for Holland. Fastest of the octet was Green Brigade for Hennessy in 28.42 by four lengths. There was joint equal second place in 28.46, Silverhill Ben for Holland and In Good Time for Brendan Maunsell.

Saturday Racing

Curraheen Park in Cork, final of the Deadly Kennels Open 750, the €5k first prize went to Tuono Charlie (Good News-Farronrory Bonny) in 41.25 by nine lengths at 4/7 fav with Sharon Hunt training. The Dagingerbreadman was second for Paul Hennessy and received a cheque for €2k.

Two Offaly winners in Mullingar. In an A4 contest White Toe Butler had her fifth career win for Mount Lucas owners Anthony and Elaine O’Grady in 29.89 (50 slow) by two lengths at 2/1.  In the final race on the card, an A7 grade Fahy Best had his first career win for Paddy McCormack in 30.22 (50 slow) by two lengths at 5/2.

The top four races in Shelbourne were the quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks. Four cracking heats in a competition that is the hottest in years. First heat went to Droopys Edel for Ian Reilly in 28.33. The fastest heat winner was Epic Chick for John Kennedy Jnr in 28.27. Heat three  went to Deelish Nora for Ginger McGee in 28.55. Heat four was where the fastest greyhound in Offaly showed her class as Short Grip blitzed the field to win by four Lengths for Rhode owner P.J. Cocoman at 7/4. This super brindle bitch has everything needed to advance now in Saturdays semi-finals. Fingers crossed.

English Derby

After the thirty one heats last week in the first round of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby we were left with ninety six dogs of which thirty four were from this side of the Irish Sea. In the first round we proceeded to have sixteen winners which shows us the quality of this years Irish hounds in the 2024 English blue ribbon event. Champion trainer Graham Holland had ten of the thirty four with Liam Dowling and Pat Buckley with six each. Eight heats on Friday with the remaining eight on Saturday.

Friday, five Irish dogs on the winners podium in Towcester with a treble for Graham Holland. Last years Irish Derby winner was first one for Holland, last years English Derby winner Gaytime Nemo was next with Swords Rex competing the trio. Our other two winners were Superfast Gordon for Pat Buckley and De Lahdedah for Liam Dowling. 

English Derby Betting

Seven of the first eight in the betting at leading Irish bookmaker Boylesports are Irish. King Memphis and De Lahdedah are joint favourites at 7/1, Swords Rex and Clonbrien Treaty are next at 10/1. Superfast Gordon, The Other Kobe and Boylesports Bob are 12/1. 20/1 bar.

Sunday Racing

Just the one Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. In an A1 race Lingrawn Aoife won for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.88 (50 slow) by a head at 9/2. 

Upcoming Events

Friday, quarterfinals of the Kasco Produce Stakes in Clonmel. Saturday, third round of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby in Towcester and semifinals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks in Shelbourne.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Only one candidate that mattered this week  which was Short Grip for P.J. Cocoman who won her heat in the quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks in Shelbourne Saturday in a fantastic 28.33. Huge performance.

Offaly Winners

Six Offaly winners this week well done to all connections.