Gone to the dogs: Nine Offaly winners as Faithful County dogs win in six tracks

While there was no big sweepstake action around the tracks there were plenty of valuable races in a weekend where all races including the lesser graded ones were worth €500 to the winners. Offaly dogs were certainly to the fore once again with another incredible return of winners.

Early Week Racing

First three Offaly winners of the week were in Newbridge on Monday. This card was a re-run of the previous Friday one that was postponed due to a frozen track. In a Mini Open Sprint S.O So Its Ranger won for Birr owner  Paul Pardy in 17.95 (10 slow) by a short head at 5/2 with Vincent McKenna training.

In the Time Nutrition A1 contest Glenlara Blue had his fourteenth career win for  Geashill owners Thomas Garry and Liam Kirley in 29.40 (20 slow) by one length at 5/2.
Another prolific Offaly winner in the last race on the card as Killeshill Ranger had his eighteenth win, for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch, in 28.96 (20 slow) by three lengths at 2/1.  Killeshill Rangers brothers and sisters from the same litter have really been a great money spinner for Lynch. They have won a total of eighty six races to date and have amassed over €38k in winning prize money. Fine running.

Also on Monday, in Enniscorthy, there were seven heats in the first round of the Lord Kennels Open Unraced Stake won last year by Ballymac Sorrel for Pat Buckley. Buckley was again to the fore here as he won two of the seven including the fastest heat winner as Glengar Kane stopped the clock in 28.72 by seven lengths at 4/6 fav. Another to catch the eye was Oh So Ivy who won in 28.74 by five lengths at 2/1 for Sean Corrigan and Aidan Denton.

Thursday, Shelbourne, final of the November Monthly Novice ON2 Unraced Stake. The €2.5k first prize went to Greenmount Hawk (Lenson Bocko-For The Moment) in 29.28 by a head at 2/1 with Owen McKenna training. The last race of the night on this card was also an Offaly winner as Aussie Alert won an A3 race for Kinnitty owner Jeannette Mackenzie in 29.20 by four lengths at 5/1.

Friday Racing

Newbridge, quarter-finals of Time Nutrition and NTSC A3 stake where A Charda set the standard when winning in 29.13 by six lengths at 5/2 with Vincent McKenna training. The second race on the card was in the semifinal of an A5 sweepstake where Glenlara Dubh was a very impressive seven length winner in 29.22 at 6/4 co fav for Liam Kirley.

The final race in Dundalk was also a Faithful County winner as Early Storm won in the semifinal of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A3 Stake for Edenderry owner Sean McNamara in 29.17 by one length with David Murray training.


Saturday Racing

The best race in Curraheen Park, Cork was the final of the Danny Corkery Memorial A3 stake where the €5k pot went to local trainer Johnny Linehan as Droopys Pablo (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Sweet) proved too good for his rivals in 28.72 by six lengths at 6/4 fav.

Lifford hosted the final of the NWGOBA ON2 Unraced Stake where Pebbles Black (Ballymac Cashout-Rappers Molly) won the €1.5k purse for Jake McKenna by four lengths in 29.15 (20 fast).

The first race on the card in Limerick brought up another Offaly winner as So Its Strate won the semifinal on an ON3 Unraced Stake for Paul Pardy again in 29.07 by seven lengths at 4/5 fav.

Edenderry owner Jimmy Dolan was on the winners rostrum in Mullingar when Hi Ho Millie won an A5 race in 29.83 (50 slow) by one length at 5/2.

Fair Warrior winner Gem Friendly was back in the winners enclosure in Shelbourne, when she was a one length winner of an SSO Open Sprint in a superb 18.67 by one length at 4/5 fav, showing amazing early pace to clear a quality field for Daingean owner Conor McGrath with Vincent McKenna once again training.


Sunday Racing

No Offaly winners at the matinee SIS meeting in Mullingar.

There was a festival meeting on Sunday evening in Limerick with seven races worth €750 to the winners, one worth €1.2k, one worth €1.4K and two worth €2k. In the Droopys Stud A2 stake final the €2k first prize went to Ballinveala Bolt (Magical Bale-Outdoor Roller) for Daniel Brassil in 28.40 by four lengths at 4/5 fav.  The €2k prize in the final of the  Ballymac Kennels AO stake was won by the sponsor Liam Dowling as Ballymac Iroko (Ballymac Cooper-Ballymac Sahara) stopped the clock in 28.41 winning by six lengths at 4/6 fav.

Upcoming Events

Friday, Newbridge final of an A5 sweepstake and semifinals of the Time Nutrition and NTSC A3 stake. Dundalk, final of their Time Nutrition A3 stake.Saturday, final of an ON3 unraced in Limerick and in Shelbourne first rounds of the Gold Collar A1 Stake and the Bernard Barry Xmas A1 Oaks.


Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Gem Friendly gets the nod this week  and for the third time in five weeks for Conor McGrath when winning an Open Sprint in Shelbourne on Saturday in a magnificent 18.67 by one length. The Fair Warrior champion can now tackle all the major sprint competitions around the country knowing there are very few out there who will lead her home. Super hound.

One For The Notebook

Glenlara Dubh looks an exciting prospect for Liam Kirley when showing a decent field a clean pair of heels when winning in the semifinal of an A5 sweepstake in Newbridge on Friday by seven lengths in a fine 29.22. Hard to see this fellow being beaten in Fridays final. One to watch.

SEE NEXT: Highly rated Sallins pushed hard before getting away from fired up Clara

Offaly Winners

Nine Faithful County winners this week. Well done to all connections.