Gone to the dogs: Six Offaly winners

Dominating last week's racing were the final of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup last Friday in Dundalk and on Saturday the finals of the Kasko A1 Derby in Cork and Dave Collins Memorial Munster Oaks in Waterford. Plenty of other exciting sweepstake action around the country with all our top dogs either in prep races or trialling for the Boylesports Irish Derby which is starting this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Early Week Racing.   

Monday, Enniscorthy, final of the NRB Contracts LTD A5 stake where the €2k first prize was won by Lord Messi (Ballymac Best-Camera Shy). The winning time was 29.04 by two lengths at 5/4 fav with Tommy Woods training.

Two finals were decided in Shelbourne on Thursday. In the conclusion of the August Novice ON3 Unraced, Keelans Dolly (Pestana-Lemon Phoebe) was on the winners podium for Philip Gough in 28.99 by a head at 2/1 with €1.5k going his way. In the final of an A3 Sweepstake Dots Choice (Coolavanny Hoffa-Bower Pick)  won the €1.75k first prize for Garristown trainer Liam O’Rourke in 28.69 by one length at 4/5 fav.

First Offaly winner of the week was at this meeting. In the semifinal of an A4 stake Aussie Promise won for Kinnitty trainer Jeanette Mackenzie in 28.93 by two lengths at 2/1.


Friday Racing

The most valuable final of the week was in Dundalk with the finale of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup with over €30k being divided. Dundalk's biggest night of the year where the €20k first prize went to Southwind Wild (Dorotas Wildcat-Mucky Harbour) for Pat Buckley in 21.08 by a short head. It was a fantastic race with all six in contention approaching the line. Probably was the best and most competitive National Sprint in years. Droopys Patriot was second for Robert Gleeson receiving a cheque for €5k.

The Eamonn Wheatley Memorial A4 Stake was up for grabs in Newbridge. The €3k pot went to The- Cure- Syndicate owned Coola Mag (Broadstrand Bono-Knockmitten Mag) by a neck in 28.98 (10 fast) at 5/1.

Three finals were decided in Shelbourne. The €1.75k prize in the A3 Dual-Distance stake over the 575 yard trip  was won by Ballygogue Jet (Priceless Jet-Ballygogue Luna) for Northern Ireland trainer Roy Ruddy in 31.32 by three lengths at 4/1. In the final of the Barking Buzz A2 Stake Malabar Misty (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Sanjose) for Pat Buckley again in 28.52 by three lengths at 6/4 fav with €2k going to his account.

The €2.25k first prize in an A1 stake final went to Phoenix Memphis (Droopys Sydney-Swift Jezebel) and Navan trainer Ian Reilly in a fine 28.20 by ten lengths at 4/5 fav. No doubt this winner will be in the Derby draw on Monday. Well capable.


Saturday Racing

Cork's Curraheen Park staged the final of the Kasko A1 Derby. A decent first prize of €6k was won by favourite Sirius Alpha (Skywalker Candy- Ballymurphy Gal) for local Cork trainer Kieran Lynch in 28.36 (20 fast) by one length at 5/4 winning his sixth race from nine starts. 

Limerick, first round of the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 won last year by the great stayer Tuono Charlie for Sharon Hunt. Three heats with Newport Pier setting the bar highest for the Mullins-Curtin- syndicate in 41.70 (20 fast) by three lengths at 2/1. 

Two Offaly winners in Mullingar. In an A4 contest Legion Cash Out won by three lengths for the Euro-Dollar-Syndicate and Ballinagar trainer Iggy Daly in 29.69 (50 slow) at a well backed 4/5 fav.  In an S2 400 yard sprint So It’s Ranger also won by three lengths for Birr owner Paul Pardy in  21.83 (50 slow) at 4/6 fav. 

In Kerry, in the final of the Rose Of Tralee A4 stake Hunters Pilot (Ballyhimikin Jet- Hunters Sophia) was too good for his competitors in 28.63 by five lengths at 1/2 fav with €2k going to owners Ariyah and Kaylah Culhane.

A fine Offaly winner in an AO 550 in a prep race for the Derby as Carrick Scholsey certainly put his name in the draw for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn in a superb 29.33 by four lengths at 1/1 money fav with Robert Gleeson. Definitely our best prospect in the upcoming Derby. 

A great nights racing in Waterford culminating in the final of the Dave Collins Memorial AO Munster Oaks. Badly Behaving (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Cam) for Shaun Conway winning the €5k first prize in 28.38 by four lengths at 4/1.  There were three heats in the first round of the Casey Caravan and Camping Open Unraced Bitch Stake won last year by Whitenose Hawk for Willie O’Connor. Three very fast winning times with one of those exceptional. Lone Calling was first over the whitewash in an amazing 28.22 on debut by nine lengths for Michael O’Donovan with the bookies not quoting a price on her. 

Sunday Racing

Two Faithful County winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar in the first and second race on the card. In an A7 contest Hi Ho Millie won for Edenderry owner Jimmy Dolan in 30.81 (50 slow) by two lengths at 9/4. In an A4 grade Foyle Con had his eleventh career win for Moneygall owner Liam Jones 30.05 (50 slow) by a neck at 7/2. 



Upcoming Events

Thursday, Shelbourne, final of a A4 Sweepstake.

Saturday, semi-finals of the Galloping Kennels A3 in Cork, semifinals of the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire in Limerick and semifinals of the Casey’s Camping and Caravan Open Unraced Bitch Stake in Waterford. Friday and Saturday first round heats in the Boylesports Irish Derby. Can’t wait.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

The standout Offaly winner last week was obviously Carrick Scholsey for Thomas Glynn in an AO 550 in Shelbourne on Saturday. His 29.33 finishing time is a Derby winning clock and with a bit of luck can go a long way in this years blue ribbon event. Here’s hoping. Fine run. 


One For The Notebook

So it’s Ranger looks a prospect for Paul Pardy when winning his second race from four starts in an S2 400 yard sprint in Mullingar Saturday in a smart 21.83 (50 slow) by three lengths. Bright future also. 

SEE NEXT: Iconic Offaly hurling club fields a golden oldies football team with All-Ireland medal holders and former heroes


Offaly Winners

Six Offaly winners this week. Congrats to all involved.