Gone to the dogs: Big wins for Offaly greyhounds
Six Offaly winners in busy weekend
It was a week of finals with close to €100k given out in prize money. Final of the Tipperary Cup in Thurles, final of the Time Club Graders Derby in Limerick, conclusion of the Pat Curtin memorial A4 in Mullingar and final of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby Open 550. There were also finals in Cork and Dundalk. Offaly dogs were also in the winners enclosure in two finals in what was another super week of racing.
Early Week Racing
There were four finals in Shelbourne on Tuesday with Offaly dogs winning two of them. In an A5 decider Highview Quitly (Orchestrate-Highview Audi) won the €1.5k purse for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 28.90 by a neck at a generous 10/1. In the final of the Barking Buzz A2 Dual- Distance 575/600 yard Stake, Clonbrien Treaty(Newinn Taylor-Clonbrien Legend) won the €1.75k first prize for Tullamore owner Willie Delahunty in 32.46 by a short head at 6/1 with David Murray training.
Although this young bitch has only won two races both have been finals as she won an A4 Dual Distance 525/550 stake in late April and is turning into quite the money spinner for her Tullamore owner.
In the final of an A2 525 Im Here (Coolavanny Hoffa-Clona Skye) also won €1.75k for Waterford trainer Peter Cronin in 28.87 by a head at 1/2 fav.€2.5k was won by Droopys Monk (Signet Ace-Droopys Lois) in an AO final for Kinnegad trainer Barry Clancy in a smart 28.12 by six lengths at 2/5 fav.One other Offaly winner on the undercard. In the first round of the June Monthly Novice ON2 stake Highview Levi won for Merriman again in 28.78 by three lengths at 3/1.
Wednesday, the final race on the card at the SIS meeting in Mullingar was won by Lahinch Molly who was winning her eleventh career race for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in an A6 contest in 30.42 (70 slow) by two lengths at 9/4 fav.Friday Racing.Newbridge, Trinity Bob won an S7 sprint for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in 18.16 (.05 slow) by one length at 7/4 fav. Shelbourne, Aussie Eagle won an A4 race for Kinnitty owner Jeannette Mackenzie in 29.08 by three lengths at 3/1.
Saturday Racing
Curraheen Park, Cork, the €3k winners prize in the final of the Bunty Cahill Memorial A2 stake was won by Fantasy Adam (Jacktavern Gem- Newinn Madam) for Adam Dunford. His winning time was a fine 28.29 winning by eight lengths at 4/5 fav. Also in Cork the semifinals of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake were held. Good Katie won the first for John Kennedy Jnr in 28.39 by two at 5/1. The second semi was won by Droopys Croia for Johnny Linehan in a faster 28.26 by three lengths at 3/1.Dundalk, another €3k was won by the winner of the Paddy and Eamon Carroll Memorial A3 Stakes. Barnhill Dancer (Droopys Got It-Cherbear) took the spoils here winning by a neck in 28.97 for Val Rogers.
The most valuable final of the week was in Limerick. The €20k first prize in the final of the Time Club A4 Graders Derby was won by Kerryroad Al (Head Bound-Fancy Tulip) for Kevin McLean in 28.46 by six lengths at 3/1. Bundle Of Fivers was second for Pauline McNamara and received a cheque for €7.5k with Eimears Lady 3rd receiving €4.6k for Brian Robinson.The winner of the Pat Curtin memorial A4 Stake in Mullingar was hot favorite to win it from the first round Supa Mac (McInerney-Illnotbeback). Paul Hennessy trained the winner who went off at odds of 4/6 fav winning by ten lengths breaking the 29.00 barrier for the second time in this competition in 28.97 (60 slow). Top class.Thurles, the best race of a decent card was the final of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Open 525. Indian Mist (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac India) took the honours here, winning the €7.4K first prize pot in 29.01 by a short head, at 10/3 with Gerry Holian training. Paulstown Cash was second for Michael Donnelly and went home with a cheque for €3k.
It was another quality night of racing at Headquarters.
The best race on the card was the final of the Shelbourne Maiden Open 550 Derby. The €10k first prize was won by Nurney trainer Shaun Conway as Harvard Square (King Sheeran-Fortfield Siren) crossed the line in a career best run of 29.63 winning by one length at a huge price of 14/1. Uncle Keith was runner up for Mark Robinson and won €4K.Three heats in the semi-finals of the Boylesports Champion Stakes with two qualifying from each for Saturdays final. Seven Beach won this valuable stake last year for Jennifer O’Donnell. Con And Annie Kirby memorial winner Bouncing Monarch won heat one for Michael O’Donovan in 29.30. Ballymac Kamala was slightly faster when winning in 29.25 for Liam Dowling. Sober Barry won heat three for Karol Ramsbottom in 29.88. Should be an interesting final.
Two finals on the night. In the Talking Dogs A1 550 finale Skywalker Bruno (Dromano Bucko-Ballyverry Sarah) won the €2k purse for O’Donovan again in 29.79 by ten lengths at 6/4 fav. In the conclusion of an AO 525 stake Callaway Fia (Ballymac Bolger-Ballymac Cams) stopped the timer in 28.54 with €2.5k heading to trainer Owen McKenna winning by three lengths at 2/1.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, semi-finals of the June Novice ON2 Unraced in Shelbourne. Saturday, semifinals of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake in Cork and final of the Boylesports sponsored Champion Stakes, also in Shelbourne.
Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week
Clonbrien Taylor gets the nod this week for Willie Delahunty when winning the final of the of a A2 dual distance stake over the 600 yard trip in an open class time of 32.46. A spectacular run from this young bitch who was only having her eight race. With further improvement the sky is the limit for this very progressive dog. Fine performance.
One For The Notebook
Highview Levi looks a prospect for Gerry Merriman when winning his heat in the first round of the June Novice ON2 Unraced stake in Shelbourne on Tuesday. Expect big improvement in this young dog over the coming weeks in this competition. Certainly one to keep an eye on.
Offaly Winners
There were six Faithful County winners last week. Well done to all connections.