GONE TO THE DOGS: Four winners from Offaly at racetracks this week

This week's racing was dominated by the quarterfinals of the Tote Gold Cup in Shelbourne, seven heats in the first round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A1 Cork Cup stake in Curragh Park and the first round of the Droopys Stud Open Champion Bitch Stake in Thurles.
Offaly winners were scarce on the ground, however, with some well bred pups soon on debut from the Faithful County, expect the winners to start rolling in again. Racing in Shelbourne Park on a Thursday night will shortly be resuming again where we always get our fair share of winners.
Early Week Racing
Sadly once again nothing of note for the first four days of the week.
Friday Racing
No Offaly winners at the afternoon meeting in Mullingar with a few just beaten into second by narrow margins so better days expected there. Due to a waterlogged track Newbridge was cancelled at short notice with all dogs at the track. This card will be re-run this Friday.
Two finals in Shelbourne Park both worth €1.75k to the winners. The first was the RCETS A2 Dual-Distance A2 stake with the first round last week over the 550 yard trip and final over 575 yards. First prize here went to Unanimous Cody (Pat C Sabbath-Alls Well) in 31.87 by three lengths at 8/1 with Slane trainer Martin Lanney at the Helm. The second final on a very wet track was the Shelbourne A4 Regulars Stake with Lion Dancer (Victorinox-Jerusalem) winning for Beatrice Steiner in 29.24 by a head again at a big price of 5/1.
Saturday Racing
In the first round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A1 Cork Cup won last year by Trouble for local trainer Kieran Lynch. Seven heats with a hat trick for champion trainer Graham Holland who also supplied the fastest winner of the seven in Riverside Pingu in 28.33 by eleven lengths at 5/2.
Thurles staged the first round of the Droopys Stud Open Champion Bitch stake. Three heats with Annie On Fire setting the bar highest for Murt Leahy in 28.82 (20 slow) by one length.
Also in Thurles in the quarterfinals of the Dinny Mackey Memorial A3 stake, Bull Run Buggy was fastest in 29.66 (20 slow) by seven lengths for James Quinlan.
In Shelbourne Park in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Tote Gold Cup Carrick Aldo was fastest of the four for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn, in a super 28.05 by two lengths at 4/5, with David Murray training. Next fastest on the clock was Glengar Martha for Pat Buckley in 28.07. Two more Offaly winners on the supporting card, both for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman. In an A2 race Highview Rosie had her fifth career win in 28.93 by two lengths at 5/1. In an AO contest Highview Treat was first back in kennels in 28.42 by one length at 4/1.
Sunday Racing
One Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar for Moneygall owner Mary Jones. Lingrawn Billy won an A7 grade in 30.20 (50 slow) by one length at 7/2 recording his twelfth career win.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, semifinals of the Tote Gold Cup in Shelbourne. Thurles, semifinals of the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch stake and semifinals of the Dinny Mackey Memorial A3 stake.
Tribune Offaly dog of the week.
Easy decision this week as Carrick Aldo get the nod for the third time in four weeks, winning in the fastest time in the quarterfinals of the Tote Gold Cup in Shelbourne, on Saturday night in 28.05 for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn. Superb performance
Offaly Winners
Four Offaly winners this week. Well done to all connections.

DC.