Gone to the dogs: Derby action dominates greyound week

Twenty four dogs went to traps last Saturday night in the quarter-finals of the Boylesports Irish Derby where all were hoping to progress. Twenty four became twelve in a night where the cream came to the top. We now have a clear picture of the real stars and contenders where the most sought after trophy in Greyhound racing will lie for the next twelve months.Asw ell as the Derby, the quarter-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate, quarterfinals of the Kiltrea Kennels Open Unraced in Enniscorthy, big semifinals both in Cork and Waterford. Once again Offaly winners were thin on the ground but few quality one were paraded in the winner enclosure.

Early Week Racing

Monday, Enniscorthy, quarter-finals of the Kiltrea Kennels Open Unraced Stake won last year by Glengar Blitz for Pat Buckley. Two of the four heats were won by local trainer Anton Butler but the fastest of the four was again for Buckley as Sub Station stopped the timer in 29.12 (20 slow) by one length at 2/1.

Two finals in Shelbourne on Tuesday. In the Sporting Press A3 stake, Droopys Edit (Droopys Addition-Droopys Curio) won the €3k first prize for Robert Gleeson. The winning time was a smart 28.25 (20 fast) by a head at 7/4.The second final was the conclusion of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust A1 Stake. The €2.5k purse was won by Ballintine Wild (Dorotas Wildcat- Bo Bobbity) for Ray Melia in 28.44 (20 fast) by two lengths at 3/1.

Friday Racing

First Offaly winner of the week was at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. Killeshill Belle had her tenth career win for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 29.75 (70 slow) by four lengths at 10/3.Next Faithful County winner was at the evening meeting in Newbridge. In the semi-finals of an A2 dual distance stake 525/550 Trinity Raven won by a neck for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin in 28.89 at 2/1. Looks like the extra twenty five yards in Friday’s final will definitely suit this strong running hound.

Saturday Racing

Curraheen Park, Cork, semi-finals of the Davy O’Brien Memorial A2 were the feature races of a decent card. Barnfield Jigger won the first for Liam Murphy in 28.84 by four lengths at 6/4 fav. The second heat was won by Hollyhill Stacey in 29.00 flat for Paraic Campion by one length at 5/1.

Kilcohan Park, Waterford, semi-finals of the Casey Caravan and Camping Open Unraced Stake. Jacktavern Tank won the first for David Byrne in 28.71 (10 slow) by a wide margin of ten lengths at 2/1. Hillcrest Lola the second for Paul Hennessy by five lengths at 6/4 joint fav in 28.78 (10 slow).

Four cracking heats in the quarter-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate. Liam Dowling won two of them with Ballymac Setanta in 29.30 and Ballymac Deniro in 29.45. Graham Holland won the remaining two including the fastest heat winner in Roaming Shelby in 29.29 and Swords Style in 29.41.

Boylesports Irish Derby

As is the norm it was a full house in Shelbourne for the quarter-finals of the Boylesports Irish Derby. Of the four heats only one favourite won but the other three did qualify which at this stage was the important thing to stay in the picture. Antipost favorite and Con And Annie Kirby memorial winner Bouncing Monarch once again stole the show. He blitzed the lids and in a display seldom seen, tracked superbly and clocked the fastest time in the Derby after four rounds in 29.08 winning by five lengths at 3/10 fav. This super Michael O’Donovan trained hound seems to have everything in his armoury to bring home Greyhound’s most sought after trophy.

Other three winners were surprises but certainly justified taking their places in the traps for the semi-finals on Saturday. Croydon Avenger won in 29.31 for Pat Barrett by one length at 12/1. Sleigh Of Hand for Laurence Jones in 29.53 by a neck at 11/4 and Low Profile seems to be slipping into the picture nicely for champion trainer Holland when winning his heat in 29.21 by one length at 7/2. Saturday’s semis should be amazing.

Derby Statistics

For the first time in an age no bitch has made the semi-finals.

Leading stud dogs Ballymac Cashout and Coolavanny Hoffa both have two offspring in the last twelve with eight from different sires. Leading trainers Holland, Hennessy, O’Donovan and Pat Guilfoyle has two each remaining with Laurence Jones, Pat Barrett, Peter Cronin and Pat Buckley with one each. The youngest dog left is Sleight Of Hand for Jones whelped on October 28th ‘24. The oldest of the twelve is Priceless Romeo for Hennessy born on May 1st ‘23.

Derby Betting

Before racing sponsors Boylesports had Bouncing Monarch a what seemed an incredibly short 2/1 fav with three rounds remaining. Wi Can James was 5/1 with Waitingforastar at 6/1, 12/1 bar. On Sunday morning the antipost betting stood at Monarch had hardened into 11/8 fav. Wi Can James 4/1, Waitingforastar 5/1 with Hackney Dancer 14/1. 16/1 bar. Favorite doing everything right at moment and certainly hard to oppose him.

Upcoming Events

Monday, semifinals of the Kiltrea Kennels Open Unraced in Enniscorthy.Friday, final of the Newbridge A2 Dual Distance stake.Saturday, final of the Davy O’Brien Memorial A2 in Cork, final of the Casey Caravan and Camping Open Unraced in Waterford, semifinals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate and Boylesports Irish Derby in Shelbourne.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

.Killeshill Belle has been ultra consistent for her trainer Vincent Lynch and last Friday brought up her tenth career win in Mullingar in a fine 29.75 (70 slow) winning by four lengths. Add in her seven seconds and six thirds she has proved to be a great servant to the Croghan trainer. Well deserved.

One For The Notebook

Trinity Raven looks a prospect for Timmy Slevin when winning his semifinal of an A2 dual distance 525/550 in Newbridge on Friday in 28.89. With only three races under his belt he looks a prospect and no doubt the longer trip this Friday will suit. Timmy is no stranger to having a top hound and he may have another on his hands with Raven.

Offaly Winners.

For the second week in a row just the two Offaly winners last week. Congrats to all connections.