Gone to the dogs: Four Offaly winners last week

Much of the same pattern as last few weeks with all the action concerning Offaly dogs limited to weekend racing. We look forward to the return of racing in Shelbourne, on Tuesday nights, which should produce a faithful winner or two.

Friday's Racing

With the final of the first top class unraced stake taking place in Clonmel on Sunday week, the track has been running numerous different sweepstakes, all at semi-final stages, to coincide with that night the final is held. Best of these on Friday was the semi-finals of the A1 550 yard stake. Lynchy Boy once again has set the standard as in the quarter-finals, winning in 29.93 for T.J. Campion by three lengths. The second semi went to Kilkenny Santy for Waterford trainer Declan Byrne in 30.24 by two lengths.

In Kilkenny, in the semi-finals of the RCETS A3 sweepstake, Milestone Sivola was first past the post in the first for John Carr in 28.98 (30 slow) by four lengths at 5/2. The second semi was won in 28.97 (30 slow) by Ballybough Bela for Murt Leahy by three lengths at 2/1. Only one hundred of a second between these two winners making Friday's final an exciting prospect.

Shelbourne Park, first Offaly winner of the week was in the last race, an A2 550, with Geneva Holly winning for Kinnitty owner Jeannette MacKenzie in a decent 30.06 by two lengths at 4/1. Earlier in the card, in the semi-finals of the ON2 Barking Buzz App unraced stake, Ballybough Sean won the first for Pat  Carroll in 29.03 by three lengths at 3/1. The second semi was somewhat faster as Reckless Nanny crossed the whitewash in 28.89 by six lengths at 4/6 fav with Dolores Ruth training.

In Tralee, in the semi-finals of the Brendan Cremin Electrical A3 Tri-Distance over the 525 trip, both winners backed up last weeks successes by winning again, Chlas Act in 29.35 (10 slow) by five lengths, at 4/6 fav, with James O’Regan at the helm. The second semi was again faster as Hazelfield Echo won for Jack Kennelly in 28.86 (10 slow) by two lengths at 6/4 fav.

Saturday's Racing

Waterford, final of the Geneva Kennels and W.T.S.C ON3 unraced stake took centre stage in  Kilcohan Park. Well deserved winner as Belmullet Brandy (Dorotas Wildcat- Yahoo Tina) win the €1.1k first prize in 28.70 (20 fast) by a whopping eleven lengths, at a well backed 5/4 fav, for local trainer Peter Cronin.

In Thurles, in an A5 contest, Totos Day was first home for Birr owner Tony McCormack and Denis Fogarty in 28.47 (30 slow), by five lengths, at even money.

Limerick’s first big final of the year was the Ballymac Cooper At Stud A3 Stake. Toolmaker Beach (Droopys Jet- Kilara Lizzie) justified the 6/4 fav mark when winning the €3k first prize by one length, in 28.54, with Rathangan Trainer Robert Gleeson at the helm.

Shelbourne hosted the semif-inals of the RCETS AAO Gold Cup 525 with two quality winners. First up was Serene Ace for Micheal O’Donovan in 28.47 by four lengths at 2/1. The second winner and favorite with the bookies to win this valuable early season stake was Good Cody for trainer Pat Guilfoyle and owner John Kennedy in a rapid 28.13 by six lengths at 3/1.

In the semi-finals of an AO stake Thirtynine Winks had a career best run of 28.41 for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn by six lengths at 7/2 with David Murray training. The second semi went to Right So Belle in a more modest 28.73 for Sean Corrigan by one length at 5/1.

Sunday's Racing

Mullingar, at the matinee meeting, just the one Offaly winner in the final race on the card. Shady Jen won by a head in 30.10 (80 slow) at 11/2 for Daingean owner Oliver Etches.

In Clonmel, Sunday evening, in the semifinals of the Rural Kennels ON2 unraced stake, Droopys Nice One,  won by six lengths in the first semi in 28.30 with Murt Leahy training. The second semi was won in a faster 28.01 by Swords Rex by seven lengths for Graham Holland. Sunday’s final should be special.

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the A3 sweepstake in Kilkenny, final of ON2 unraced in Shelbourne and final of the Brendan Cremin Tri-Distance A3 in Tralee. Saturday, final of the RCETS Gold Cup and AO sweepstake in Shelbourne Park. Sunday, final of the Rural Kennels ON2 unraced in Clonmel plus other sweepstakes finals on the night.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Thirtynine Winks winning in the semi-final of an AO stake in Shelbourne on Saturday in an impressive 28.41 for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn. Well deserved.

Offaly Winners

Offaly winners were limited to four this week, congratulations to all involved.