Gone to the dogs: Great week for Offaly greyhounds

Improved fortunes in Offaly winners after recent weeks poor winning returns where visits of Offaly dogs to winning enclosures were scarce. A much better week for Offaly greyhounds and owners having some quality winners around the tracks.  The highlight of the week was the final of the Tote Gold Cup where a winners prize of €16k was up for grabs. Add in the semifinals of the Cork Cup and the quarter-finals of the Midlands Derby it was a great week of racing.

Friday Racing

First Two Offaly winners of the week were in Galway with both for Birr owner Bill Pardy. In an ON2 unraced sprint grade, Cappaneale Bono won by  four lengths in 18.30 (.05 slow) at 2/1.  In an ON3 unraced sprint, Cappaneale Pest was first back in kennels for Pardy and Sean Maher in 17.91 (.05 slow) by nine lengths.

Two good winners in Newbridge for Ballinagar owner Iggy Daly and the Euro-Dollar-Syndicate. In an S2 sprint, Dalgan won his first race in seven attempts in a much improved 17.26 (20 fast) by nine lengths at 2/1. In an A3 contest, My Way Paddy did a career best run in 28.30 (40 fast) by six lengths at 3/1.

In Shelbourne Park, in the final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A3 575 stake, Rathfalla Logan (Skywalker Logan-Devilsbit Storm) won the €1.75k first prize for George Roche in 31.93 by one length at 5/2. Two Offaly winners on the supporting card, in final of an A3 sweepstake Brayview Jet (Jaytee Jet-Highview Novel) was first home for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman with another €1.75k going his way in a winning time of 29.03 by three lengths at 3/1. In the semifinals of the Barking Buzz A1 stake, Laughil Ray won for Kilcormac owners Mary and Paul Jennings in 28.78 by one length at 9/4 with Clonard trainer Kevin Losty at the helm.

Saturday Racing

Curraheen Park hosted the semi-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A1 Cork Cup, Bambis Lady won the first for Breda Boyle and Patrick Sheehy in 28.78 by one length at 9/4. The second semi went to champion trainer Graham Holland as Faypoint Susie was too good for her rivals in 28.87 by two lengths at 3/1.

First Offaly winner on Saturday was also in  Galway as Margaret Bolton made the trip from Geashill with Meteoric Moon and won an A6 race in 29.61 (10 slow) by two lengths at 3/1.

In Mullingar, in the quarter-finals of the Kilbride Kennels A2 550 Midlands Derby, Rough Frankie set the bar highest when winning stopping the timer in 30.58 (50 slow) at 5/4 fav by four lengths. Another Faithful County winner on the supporting card as Love You won the first race, an ON2 unraced, by seven lengths at 1/2 fav for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon.

The final of the Droopys Stud Open Bitch Stake was top of the bill on a decent card in Thurles, the €3.1k first prize went to Singalong Dolly (Droopys Sydney-Mydras Dawn) for Pat Buckley in 28.72 (20 slow) by one length at 4/1.

The most valuable final of the year so far took place in Shelbourne, the Tote Gold Cup AAO stake. The €16k first prize went to Boylesports Coco (Droopys Sydney-Barn Swallow) who was winning her thirteenth race and brought her career earnings to over €29k for her trainer Dolores Ruth in 28.52 by a neck at 7/4 fav. Deadly Style was an unlucky second for Michael O’Donovan but received a generous runners up pot of €6.5k.

One super Offaly winner earlier on the card when Carrick Keano fresh from getting to the final of the Rural Kennels Open unraced in Clonmel showed why he’s one of the fastest pups in the country when stopping the clock on easily the fastest time of the night in 28.34  by six lengths at 8/15 fav. Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn and trainer Robert Gleeson have a real live chance with this fellow heading into all the big upcoming stakes of the year. Fingers crossed.

Sunday Racing

Three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar with two from the Moneygall kennels of the Jones’. In an A1 grade Lingrawn Aoife had her tenth career win for Liam Jones in 29.88 by one length at 8/1. In an A4 race Lingrawn Grace also had her tenth career win, this time for Kevin Jones in 29.94 by five lengths at 3/1. Our final winner of the week was in an A6 contest as Lahinch Roxy won for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 30.12 by one length at 6/1. All races in Mullingar were rated .50 slow.

Upcoming events

Friday, final of an A3 stake in Newbridge and final of an A1 in Shelbourne.

Saturday, final of the Cork Cup in Curraheen Park and semifinals of the Midlands Derby in Mullingar.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Easy decision this week as Carrick Keano gets the nod for Thomas Glynn when winning in Shelbourne on Saturday in a super 28.34 by six lengths. Brilliant display.

Offaly Winners

Superb twelve Offaly winners this week. Well done to all connections.