Gone to the dogs: five Offaly winners

Highlights of last week's racing schedule included the semi-finals of the Time Juvenile Puppy Derby, semifinals of the Maiden Derby both in Shelbourne along with the semi-finals of the St. Leger in Limerick and the quarter-finals of the Irish Sprint Cup in Dundalk.

Plenty of other sweepstakes action around the tracks with numerous Offaly dogs in the winners enclosure.

Early Week Racing

Monday, Enniscorthy, semi-finals of the July Open Unraced Stake. Heat one went to Bushpark Isla for Eoghain Whelan in 29.14 by one length at a decent 8/1. Heat two was won by 2/5 favorite  Betgoodwin Ben for Pat Buckley in 28.82 by eight lengths.

In the final of the Shelbourne Regulars A4 Stake on Thursday the €1.5k purse was won by Irelands Eye (Pestana-Last Lady) for Margaret Doherty in 29.01 by one length at 2/1.

There was an additional meeting in Galway also on Thursday where  the feature event was the final of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2 Stake. The €3.5k first prize pot went to Derrymoyle Bono (Broadstrand Bono-Brickhill Sharon) in 29.43 (10 slow) by one length at 5/1 with local trainer Owen McDonagh at the helm. First Offaly winner of the week was at this meeting as Crinkle Ranger won an S5 350 sprint for Birr owner Gerard Milne in 19.29 (.05 slow) by three lengths at 2/1.

Friday Racing

First two Offaly winners of the weekend were at the matinee SIS meeting in Mullingar. In an A4 contest Killeshill Glam won by two lengths for Croghan trainer Vincent Lynch in 30.41 (50 slow) at 10/3. Last week's Tribune dog of the week was back in the winners enclosure as Lahinch Blaze won his twentieth race in an A5 grade for Clara owner P.J Cleary in 30.01 (50 slow) by four lengths at 10/11 fav.

Newbridge, final of the NTSC A2 Stake Snazzy Hawk (Pat C Sabbath-Hollywell Samba) was on the winners podium for Stephen O’Donohoe in 28.84 by two lengths at 3/1 with €1.5k going his way.

Tralee, final of the Kingdom Stadium Open 750 where a decent cheque of €4K went to Mary Kennedy as Delicate Lass (Ballymac Cashout-Hugh Dream) stopped the clock in 41.58 by two lengths at 5/2.

Some great racing in Shelbourne with the semi-finals of the Time Juvenile Puppy Derby being the highlights. Heat one went to Rural Pest for champion trainer Graham Holland in a fine 28.07 by three lengths at 7/2. The second semi was won by Ballymac Tibet for Liam Dowling in a slower 28.47 by five lengths at 5/2.  

Two finals were decided on the night. Firstly in the conclusion of the A3 Tri-Distance with the final over the 600 yard trip where there was a deadheat finish. Ello Ello (Airmount Nando-Millions Dream) for Brendan Mathews at 5/4 fav was joined on the line by Bosco Sabb (Malachi-Clash Sabb) for Joseph O’Hanlon in 32.86 at 4/1 with €1.75k going to both.In the final of an A3 sweepstake Grouchos Ace (Glengar Bale-Glengar Ariel) won the €2k first prize for Dave Bourke in 28.89 by four lengths at 15/4.

Saturday Racing

Only Offaly winner on a busy Saturday night was in Mullingar. In the final of the July  ON2 Unraced stake Cappy Cailin (Signet Ace-Love Queen) made it three wins from three start when winning by six lengths in 29.69 (50 slow) at a short price of 1/3 fav with a purse of €820 going to Edenderry trainer David Hanlon. 

The semi-finals of the Shelbourne Maiden 550 Derby dominated proceedings in Headquarters. Shanahee Boomer won the first for Cork trainer Kieran Lynch in a super 29.43 by one length at 5/4 fav. The favorite also won the second heat as Coloursaregreen was a returned winner at 6/4 fav for Gowran trainer Paul Hennessy in 29.66 by five lengths. 

Two finals were decided on the night. In the Boylesports A2 stake Don Rico (Dorotas Wildcat-Benzema) won the €2.5k first prize for Liam and Desmond Woods in 28.89 by three lengths at 5/1.  In an AO 550 final Grouchos Hoffa (Coolavanny Hoffa-Senahel Trudi) proved too strong for her rivals in 29.61 by one length at 1/1 fav with €3.5k to Dave Bourke again. Expect all these winners in Shelbourne in the draw for the Boylesports Derby which kicks off in a couple of weeks.

The best race in Kilcohan Park in Waterford was the final of the Shebetheone A2 Stake with the pot of €2k heading to Scrahan Lady (Ballymac Cashout- Ballymac Trudi) and Matthew Scurry in a fine 28.32 by four lengths at 6/4.

Quarter-finals of the Kasko A1 Cork Derby were the standout races in Curraheen Park. Bushpark Rodney set the bar highest for Graham Holland when breaking the much sought after 28.00 barrier when stopping the clock in 27.98 (20 fast) by one length at 2/1. Magnificent display. 

Quarter-finals were also the main events in Dundalk with four heats in the Bar One Racing National Sprint. Four super winner with one standout performance as Lennies Tank crossed the whitewash in a super 20.68 winning by six lengths for Hennessy again. 

Two cracking semi-finals in Limerick of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St. Leger. First heat winner was last year’s winner of this event Clonbrien Treaty who has come back from a near career ending injury under the stewardship of Holland to win in 29.68 (10 fast)by four lengths at 6/5 fav. The second semi was won by Hello Diego for Hennessy who had an exceptional week of winners in a faster 29.49 (10 fast) by five lengths at 13/8 fav.

Sunday Racing

Our sole Offaly winner on Sunday was at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. Horseleap Paddy won an A4 event in 29.93 (50 slow) by two lengths at 7/2.

Upcoming Events

Monday, final of the July Open Unraced in Enniscorthy.

Friday, semi-finals of the Eamonn Wheatley Memorial A4 in Newbridge. Final of the Time Juvenile Puppy Derby in Shelbourne.

Saturday, final of the Martin Fahy Memorial A4 stake Galway, final of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby in Headquarters, semifinals of the Kasko A1  Derby in Cork, semifinals of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup in Dundalk and final of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St. Leger in Limerick. Loads of top class action to look forward to this week. Please try to get along to support your local tracks.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Cappy Cailin was an easy winner this week for David Hanlon for winning the July ON2 Unraced stake, in Mullingar on Saturday, in a super 29.69 (50 slow) by six lengths, and in doing so won all three rounds in a very competitive competition. Hanlon looks to have a real prospect on his hands here. Super performance.

SEE NEXT:  https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/gaa/1862245/camogie-star-flying-the-offaly-flag-proudly-in-the-county-s-most-infamous-border-hotland.html

Offaly Winners

Five Offaly winners this week. Congrats to all connections.