Offaly dogs to the fore

WITH the English Derby less than a week away, you'd imagine all the top trainers would be concentrating on that great competition. However, far from trainers solely focusing on the Derby we had numerous stakes at final stages here, with all the top trainers in the mix. Plenty of money divided out with Offaly dogs certainly to the fore.
Early Week Racing
Enniscorthy, Monday, semifinals of the April Open unraced stake, Stripe Sparky won the first for Ned Freeman in 28.99 (20 slow) by a short head with Dairyhill Stella the second for Paul Hennessy in a quicker 28.66 (20 slow) by seven lengths.
Three Offaly winners in Shelbourne Park on Thursday evening, all for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman. The first was the pick of the three and easily the fastest time of the night. Highview Splash on debut in an open unraced contest, demolished a quality field to win by eighteen lengths in a fantastic 28.33 at 2/1. Gerry seems to have a future star on his hands with this fellow. In an A6 race Highview Sab won by eight lengths in 29.19 at even money fav and in an A5 grade Highview Rosie completed the hat trick in 29.59 by two lengths at 2/1.
Friday Racing
Tralee staged the semifinals of the Lee Strand A3 550, Saleen Conn won the first for Patrick O’Connor in 29.97 (20 fast) by four lengths at 9/2. Blastoff Chase was first home in the second for Philip Buckley in 29.59 (20 fast) by two lengths at 2/1.
In Shelbourne Park, in the semifinals of the Islandbridge Open Sprint, two big priced winners here with some hot pots exiting the competition. The first semi went to Gallant Knight for Navan trainer Oliver Bray in 18.67 by three lengths at 6/1 with the second won in identical time by Radical Hero for Thomas O’Donovan by one length at 3/1.
In the final of the RCETS A1 575, Tommys Hewick (Jaytee Taylor - Me Penny) won in 31.30 by one length at 5/4 fav with the €2.5k cheque going to trainer Michael Donnelly and the Horse That Bought The Dog Syndicate which included horse trainer Shark Hanlon. Popular winner.
Newbridge Hosted the semifinals of the Friends Of Newbridge A1 550 Derby. Lightfoot Impact was first over the whitewash in the first in 30.34 by three lengths at 3/1 for Dylan and Tony Brennan. The other semi went to Prince Lucius for Oliver Bray, again in 29.92 by two lengths, at a short 4/7 fav.
In Kilkenny, in the semifinals of their Champion Open Unraced Stake, one super Offaly winner as Carrick Fergie won for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn, in 28.58 (20 slow) by seven lengths at 4/1, with Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson at the helm. The second semi went to Droopys Doughnut for Cork trainer John Linehan in 28.72 (20 slow) by one length at 7/4. The Offaly dog has a serious chance in Sundays final.
Saturday Racing.
Another classic Saturday night around the country with some brilliant winners.
Cork, the semifinals of the Curraheen Park A2 Spring Derby dominated the card in the Rebel City. Ballymac Pete won the first for Liam Dowling in 28.33 by one length at 6/4 fav. The other semi went to Rural Taylor for Graham Holland in 28.47 by three lengths at 3/1.
First Offaly winner on Saturday was in Galway as Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton brought Knockacorrinjack and won an A5 contest in 29.35 (10 slow) by two lengths at 7/2.
Four Offaly winners in Mullingar, in the semifinals of an ON2 unraced competition, Edenderry trainer David Hanlon won both as Ekin Su was first across the line in the first in 29.75 by two lengths at 4/6 fav. Resistant won the second in 29.83 by six lengths at 4/7 fav.
In a first round of an A6 sweepstake Lahinch Jake won for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 30.04 by one length at 2/1.
Our final winner on Saturday at the Westmeath venue was Syrax for Edenderry owners Paul and Chloe Cronin in 29.51 by seven lengths. All races in Mullingar were rated .60 slow.
Twelve races in Shelbourne Park all in Open Class in front of a massive crowd. Firstly the final of the Shelbourne Champion Open 550. An outsider did the business here as Ballyhimikin Rex (Ballyhimikin Jet - Slaneyside Poppy) won the €7.5k first prize at a whopping 16/1, in 29.61 by one length, for Billy and John Dunne. Bens Teddy was second for Pat Buckley and received a cheque for €3k.
The remaining eleven races were in the first round of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks, won last year by Rafa Mofo who is back to defend her crown and has certainly lost none of her pace, when winning on Saturday in 28.31 for Murt Leahy by four lengths at even money fav. The fastest heat winner was Undisputed for Pat Guilfoyle who won by six lengths at 4/1 in 28.20. Long way to go in this stake yet but expect these two to be well involved at the business end of things.
In Kilcohan Park in Waterford, in the quarterfinals of the Bergin Monumental Works A4 stake, the fastest heat winner was Greizmann for Edenderry owner Keith Duffy in 28.86 by one length with Robert Gleeson training.
English Derby
The Stat Sports/TRC English Derby gets underway this week, one hundred and ninety two dogs all vying for the greatest prize in English racing. Thirty one Irish dogs have crossed the Irish Sea to Towcester all hoping to replicate what Romeo Magico did last year. Since its inauguration in 1927 fifteen Irish trained dogs have won it. Charlie Lister holds the record with seven wins. Four dogs have won it twice, the great Mick The Miller, Patricias Hope, Rapid Ranger and most recently Westmead Hawk.
The White City hosted this event from 1927- 1985 when it was moved to Wimbledon, in 2019 it was held in Nottingham but seems to have settled now in Towcester. Thirteen Irish dogs will run in the heats on Thursday, twelve on Friday with the remaining six on Saturday. As always it promises to be a fascinating challenge. Let's hope the Irish dogs do us proud and retain the trophy we won so brilliantly last year by Romeo.
Sunday Racing.
Another four Faithful County winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. P.J. Cleary was twice in the winners enclosure, winning the first race on the card, an A4 grade with Lahinch Blaze in 29.98 by one length at 5/1 and the last race, an A2 contest with Lahinch Lilly in 29.54 by four lengths at 9/1.
In an A5 race, Horseleap Zoe won for Sean McGuinness in 30.20 by five lengths at 4/1. Our final winner was Lingrawn Niamh who was having her eighth career win for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 30.27 by one length at 9/4 fav. All races in Mullingar on Sunday were rated .50 slow.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Enniscorthy, final of the April Open Unraced Stake. Friday, final of the Lee Strand A3 550 in Tralee, final of the Islandbridge Open Sprint in Shelbourne and final of the Newbridge A1 550 derby. Saturday, Cork, final of the Curraheen Park Spring Derby, final of an ON2 unraced in Mullingar, second round of the Irish Oaks in Shelbourne and semifinals of the Bergin Monumental Work A4 in Waterford.
Sunday, final of the Champion Open Unraced in Kilkenny.
The first round heats of the English Derby on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tribune Offaly dog of the week
Easy decision this week as Carrick Fergie won a semifinal of the Champion Open Unraced in Kilkenny on Friday in a super 28.58 (20 slow) by seven lengths for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn.
Offaly Winners
There were fourteen Offaly winners this week. Congrats to all involved in any small way.
DC.