Gone to the dogs: Six Offaly winners in short week of racing

With it being Christmas week the majority of racing was squeezed into three days this week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We had some nice finals take place with one with a first prize of €7k and a decent return of Offaly winners.

Wednesday Racing

Waterford, semi-finals of the Paula Bergin Memorial A2 550, Minglers Green won the first in 30.41 (10 slow) by one length at 4/1 for James and Eddie Moore with the second going to Lough Mistoki for Jack Molloy in 30.27 (10 slow) by five lengths at 2/1.

Thursday Racing
Thurles, in the final of an A3 570 yard stake, Great Approach (DKS Prime Time - Cabra Roxy) was too good for the field when winning by two lengths, in 32.09 (20 slow), at 5/4 fav with a cheque of €1k going to the Feelgood-Racing- Syndicate.

Semi-finals were the order of the day in Shelbourne Park with four stakes getting down to the last six dogs. First up was an A2 stake, Coolavanny Nanni won the first for Garry Dempsey in 28.73 by one length at 6/4 fav. The second semi went to Dun Loich for Karol Ramsbottom in 28.88 by a head at 2/1. Next stake up was one that was previously held in Harolds Cross and was annually a big favourite of the punters, the Dublin Marathon over 1025 yards. Only twelve dogs entered this year, with Lyrics Murphy winning the first for G.J. McKenna in 60.33 by nine lengths at 6/1 and Garfinney Legend the second in a much faster 59.40 by seven lengths at 3/1 for Garristown trainer Liam O’Rourke.

The semi-finals of the Dublin Cup A1 stake were the two best races on a super card, Cheque For Sir win the first for Ramsbottom again in 28.35 by four lengths at 4/7 fav with Flaminmoneybags the second for the Two Laois Four Kilkenny Syndicate in 28.61 by two lengths at 5/2. In the semi-finals of the Retired Greyhound Trust A1 stake, Quattro Katie won in 29.00 by two lengths at 6/1 for the Quattro Kiddos Syndicate. The other heat went to Kilcolgan Chief for Nelius O’Connell in 29.02 by two lengths at 3/1.

Three Offaly winners in Mullingar, with the highlight being the final of the December ON2 unraced stake with the €2.9k pot going to Edenderry trainer David Hanlon when Kilbride Star (Droopys Sydney - Casanova) demolished a good field to win by seven lengths at even money fav in 29.72 (80 slow) with Frank (Muller) Seery owning. Star won all three rounds of this stake comfortably and Hanlon looks to have a decent prospect on his hands here. In an A8 race, Lahinch Sandy stopped the clock in 30.73 (80 slow) for Clara owner P.J. Cleary by two lengths at even money fav. In the final race on the card, an AO grade, Horseleap Nelly won for Sean McGuinness in 29.51 (80 slow) by two lengths also at even money fav.

Two nice finals in Galway were decided, in the Sean Scully Memorial A5, the €1.3k purse went to On The Radio (Candlelight King - Pinnacle Blue) for Gerry O’Donoghue in 29.25 (10 slow) by two lengths at two. In the final of the A2 Paul Burke -Top Kennel stake, Almost There (Sonic - Mrs Will) was first across the whitewash in 28.95 (10 slow) by three lengths at 7/2 with a first prize of €1k going to trainer Albert Mullins.

Friday Racing

First Offaly winner on Friday was in Limerick as Taurus Maisie won for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in an S4 sprint in 19.05 by four lengths at 4/1. In Newbridge, in the semifinals of the NTSC A1 stake, Dark Design won the first for Rhode owner Sean Cocoman in 29.04 by four lengths at 5/2. The second semi was won in identical time by Saffron Tiger for Ray Melia. One Offaly winner on the supporting card as Coolree Best won for Daingean owner Eugene Glennon in an A6 525 in 29.56 by three lengths at 2/1.

Tralee, final of the RCETS App A6 stake was their best race of the night with the €1.55k prize going to Tommy Clifford as Ameerah Choice (Ballymac Best - Cabra Ellie) won by an ever increasing nine lengths in 29.54 (60 slow) at 6/4 fav.

In Shelbourne Park, the final of the 2022 Christmas Oaks was easily the best race of the week with the €7k first prize going to this year’s Derby finalist Maries Wedding (Droopys Sydney - Ballymac Petsy) in 28.33 by three lengths at 6/4 for Tamara Butler. This has taken this bitch’s winning prize money to over €20k. Speedels About was second for Rathangan trainer Reggie Roberts and received a cheque for €2k.

Upcoming Events

This week things will be quieter but still some interesting finals taking place. Thursday, final of the Paula Bergin Memorial in Waterford, final of the Marathon 1025 yard stake, final of the Dublin Cup, final of the Retired Greyhound Trust A1 and final of the A2 sweepstake, all in Shelbourne. Friday, final of an A1 stake in Newbridge and Night Of Champions in Shelbourne with thirteen Open races on view with some serious dough up for grabs.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Easy decision this week with Kilbride Star winning the December ON2 unraced stake in Mullingar in a bright 29.72 (80 slow) by seven lengths for David Hanlon.

Offaly Winners

Six Faithful County winners this week. Congratulations all involved in any small way.

Special Note

Wishing everyone a happy and safe new year from Gone To The Dogs.