Gone to the dogs: Seven Offaly winners last week

Recently we have been having to wait until Friday for our first Offaly winner but unfortunately the wait took until Saturday this week. Winners were scarce but were of great quality when they happened. Loads of finals across the tracks this week especially in Shelbourne and  in Clonmel to coincide with the National Coursing meeting. Over €50k was given out this week in prize money in what was the first big money spinner week of the year to date.

Friday Racing

First final of the week was in Tralee, the Brendan Cremin Electrical Tri-Distance A3 stake over the 550 yard trip. However a shock here as Lady Sydney (Droopys Sydney- Bossleigh Jet) took the right night to win her only heat of the competition in 30.67, by three lengths at 3/1, with the €1.45k cheque going to David Fleming.

Two more finals in Shelbourne Park,  both worth €1k to the winners. In an ON2 unraced stake, Ballybough Sean (Dorotas Wildcat- Jackeen Flyer) was a four length winner in 29.14 for trainer Murt Leahy and owner Pat Carroll at 3/1. Laughil Flash was second for Kilcormac owners Mary and Paul Jennings. The other final was in an A4 contest, Ballymac Lizzy (Ballymac Matt- Ballymac Breeze) for Liam Dowling by a neck in 29.11 at 5/2.

In the first round of an A3 stake, three heats were run with Airlie Bomber easily doing the fastest run and won by two lengths in a rapid 28.34 at 5/4 with Clonard’s Kevin Losty training.

In Clonmel, in the semi-finals of the Philomena Dunne memorial  ON2 unraced stake, Jackstavern Bella won the first in 28.70 by a whopping   seventeen lengths with Graham Holland training for the Pillar Syndicate. The second semi went to Gleam Of Love for local owner John Leahy in a more modest time of  29.13 by five lengths.

Saturday Racing

First Offaly winners of the week were in Mullingar, in the semi-finals of an A6 sweepstake, Killeshill Nico was an easy three length winner for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 30.18 (60 slow) at 1/2. In an A5 race Kilbride Dan won by four lengths for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in 30.04 (60 slow) at 3/1.

In Shelbourne Park, the first big final of the year was the RCETS AAO Gold Cup 525, the winner here Skywalker Barry (Droopys Jet - Calzaghe Jan) has being one of the country’s top earners now for two years. He has now won the Dublin Juvenile Derby, the Select Stakes in Waterford, the Clona Blaze @ Stud in Cork and the AO stake in Shelbourne in December and last night's €16.2k first prize has now brought his career earnings to over €68k. For his owner Ray Patterson this is so well deserved as he has put a lifetime and a small fortune into buying dogs for the industry he loves. For trainer Michael O’Donovan this was a special race as he had the second as well in Serene Ace and he won himself €6.5k and he also has amassed over €28k in prize money. The winning time was 28.36, Skywalker won by just a head and returned at a price of 2/1.

Two Offaly winners on the supporting card, in the final of  an AO stake. Last week’s Tribune dog of the week Thirtynine Winks (Laughil Bolt- Combined Efford) again showed his class when winning in 28.50 by five lengths at 4/6 fav with the €1.5k cheque going to Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn with David Murray training.

In an A1 550, Muffin had her eight career win for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon in a decent 28.97 by one length at 2/1.

Sunday Racing

Three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, including a double for Margaret Bolton. In an A7 grade Liogarbh Jet won by two lengths at  9/2 in 30.33. Her other winner was in an A4 contest as Crackon Daisy also won by two lengths, in 29.85, at 9/4. Our final winner of the week was Shady Dawn for Daingean owner Oliver Etches in an A6 race in 30.01 by three lengths at 5/2. All races in Mullingar were rated .60 slow.

Clonmel, what a night of racing with seven finals and €25k being dished out. The biggest final of the night was the Rural Kennels ON2 unraced stake, with the €6.2k first prize going to Swords Rex (Droopys Sydney - Starry Display) for Graham Holland in a magnificent 28.28 by a head with Droopys Nice One second for Murt Leahy getting a prize of €2.1k. In the five rounds Swords Rex won on four occasions and is a well deserved winner of the first top class unraced stake of the year. Expect to see more of this pup as the year progresses.

Some other finals on the night, firstly, the Horse and Hound A3 Guys and Dolls stake, with the  €2k purse going to Hollyhill Jasmin (Laughil Duke - Leevalley Dancer) in 28.50 by three lengths.In the final of the Savana Open 750,  Redzer  Ruinart (Kinloch Brea - Redzer Ruby) was first past the post in 41.57 by eight lengths for Pat Reddan. €1.8k to the winner here. In the final of the A1 550, Lynchy Boy (Confident Rankin- Boozed Bubble) was once again too strong for his rivals, winning in 30.15 by nine lengths for Paraic Campion. €2k also to the winner here. Top class night of racing in Clonmel with the star on the night being winner of the Rural Kennels ON2 unraced, Swords Rex.

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the Philomena Dunne memorial ON2 in Clonmel. Saturday, final of the A6 stake in Mullingar.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

For the second week in a row, Thirtynine Winks gets the nod  winning an AO stake in Shelbourne Park on Saturday, for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn, in a fast 28.50.

Offaly winners

Seven Offaly winners this week, well done to all concerned in any way.