Gone to the dogs: Eight Offaly winners
As Summer approaches the top Irish dogs are out in force both this side of the Irish Sea and in Towcester competing in the English Derby. Plenty of sweepstake action across the Irish tracks with the feature events being the final of the Kilkenny Track Champion Unraced, the final of the Newbridge Derby, final of the Lee Strand in Tralee and second round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks. Irish dogs dominated the betting market both before and after the third round of the English blue ribbon event at the Northamptonshire track.
Early Week Racing
Two finals in Shelbourne on Thursday. In the RCETS App A4 Dual Distance Stakes with the final over the 575 trip. Goldcash Fire (Ice On Fire-Paradise Asia) proved too good for her rivals for Slane trainer Martin Lanney in 31.71 by one length at 4/1 with a cheque for €1.75k heading to the Meath trainer. The second final was The Guys And Dolls A2 525 with the winner’s prize of €2.5k going to Race To Glory (Malachi-Succession) for Skip and Marie Gilbert. The winning time was 28.79 by a neck at 2/1.
Friday Racing
First Offaly winner of the week was in the first race on the card at the SIS matinee meeting in Mullingar. Fahy Shop won an A5 race for Paddy McCormack in 30.31 (50 slow) by a short head at 6/1.
The first big open unraced final of the year took place in the Marble City with the running of the Kilkenny Track Champion Open Unraced Stakes. The €15k first prize went to Unanimous Leo ( Glengar Bale-Nice Mystery) and Pat Buckley in a fine 28.96 (10 slow) by one length at 5/2. Lookandlep was second for Karol Ramsbottom winning €5.5k.
The Friends Of Newbridge Derby A1 550 was the main event at the Kildare track. Is She There (Droopys Sydney-Dairyhill Josie) was first home by a very comfortable seven lengths in 29.83 at 4/1. The €3.5k pot went to Eugene and Rosemary Price. Rich Pursuit was second for Francis Murray and received a purse of €1.5k. One Offaly winner on the supporting card as Kilcooney Jane won an A5 race, in 29.19 by one length, at 5/2 for Geashill owner Marie Garry.
Three finals were up for decision in Shelbourne. In the Barking Buzz A3 Stake Lamrock Ace (Ballymac Cashout- Pennys Baccata) won the €2k pot in 28.42 by three lengths at 5/4 fav for Ramsbottom again.
In the final of the Upcoming Corn Cuchalainn Novice 750 Delicate Lass (Ballymac Cashout-Hugh Dream) was on the winner’s podium for Mary Kennedy, in 41.70 by seven lengths at 7/4, with €1.75k heading their way. The remaining final was also worth €1.75k to the winner in the Shelbourne Museum A2 Dual Distance with the race over the 600 yard trip. Bounceback Chico (Wolfe-Jaytee Jordan) won the contest in 32.89 by one length at 3/1 for Anthony Kehoe and William Byrne.
Saturday Racing
Curraheen Park, Cork, semi-finals of the Open 750 stake with only one hundredth of a second separating the two winners. Daleroad Poppy won the first for Pat Guilfoyle in 42.21 by two lengths at 4/5 fav with Wellstreet Cath the second for Timmy Carmody in 42.20 also by two lengths at 4/1.
The best race in Dundalk, to date this year, was the final of the Carrick Aldo @ Stud Open Unraced 400 yard sprint. The €2k first prize went as planned as Magical Luka (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) remained unbeaten in this stake as he cruised to a four length win in a cracking 20.86 for Guilfoyle again.
Two Offaly winners in Mullingar. In the semi-finals of the Carrick Aldo @ Stud ON2 Unraced 525 Kilbride Duchess won heat two for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon in 30.28 (70 slow) by one length at 6/4. In an A3 contest Tiny Butler made it three wins on the spin for Mountlucas owner Anthony O’Grady in a fine 29.69 (50 slow) by five lengths at 6/4 fav.
The most valuable stake final of the week was in Tralee with the conclusion of the Lee Strand A3 550. The €10k first prize went to Headleys Trump (Coolavanny Hoffa-Mercenary Mary) in 29.59 (10 fast) by two lengths at 2/1 with Nick Cotter training. Second was Killacolla Hill for Michael Fitzgerald and received a decent pot of €4K.
The second round of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks were the six feature races in Shelbourne. For the second week in a row Glengar Martha set the standard when stopping the clock at 28.27 winning for Pat Buckley by ten lengths at 1/2 fav. Next fastest on the clock was Annadown Ellie for Ginger McGee in 28.36 by six lengths at 7/2.
In the first round of the Shelbourne AO Summer Cup, four heats with Epic Ace setting the bar highest in 28.20 by seven lengths at 4/5 fav. Heat two was won by an Offaly dog as Carrick Scholsey won for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn in a super 28.44 by six lengths at 4/6 fav with Robert Gleeson training.
English Derby
Fifteen Irish dogs entered the third round of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby in Towcester on Saturday night. Eight splendid heats with five Irish dogs winning their heats. After the exertions of the twenty four hounds remaining, ten are from this side of the pond.
Fastest of our five winners was Sole Mio for Waterford trainer Peter Cronin who won his heat in a magnificent 28.64. Heat two was won by Bubbly Charger for Co Down trainer Brendan Mathews in 28.79. De Lahdedah is not relinquishing his trophy without a battle when winning his heat in 28.83 for Liam Dowling. Irish derby champion Bockos Diamond beat his kennel companion Cheap Sandwichs in a massive buckle, by a head, for Graham Holland in 28.84.
Singalong Molly was our final winner for Pat Buckley in 28.86 and is the only bitch still in the competition out of the twenty four. Holland has four of the remaining ten Irish dogs left with Paul Hennessy with two. One each for Cronin, Mathews, Dowling and Buckley
The draw was very favourable for our dogs with all the big guns avoiding each other. Don’t be surprised if we end up with six Irish dogs in the final. On their showing to date the remaining fourteen English trained dogs don't appear to be up to the standard of our dogs.
English Derby Betting
Before Saturday's racing the leading Irish Bookmaker Paddy Power had installed Graham Holland’s three superstars as favourites to lift the trophy. Bockos Diamond was as short as 3/1, Cheap Sandwiches 11/2 with Bombay Pat at 8/1. Last years winner De Lahdedah for Liam Dowling was 10/1 with 14/1 bar. On Sunday morning the betting had changed as Bockos had hardened into 9/4 fav, Cheap Sandwiches 7/2, De Lahdedah 6/1 with Bombay Pat and Sole Mio at 10/1. 18/1 bar. The top five Irish dogs once again dominating the market.
Sunday Racing
Another three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. In an A4 race Horseleap Paddy was first back in kennels for Sean McGuinness in 29.73 (50 slow) by three lengths at 11/10 fav. In an A3 grade Foyle Con was on the winners rostrum for Moneygall owner Liam Jones 29.76 (50 slow) by three lengths at 13/8 fav. Our final winner of the week was in an A6 contest as Lahinch Molly won for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 29.96 (50 slow) by one length at 15/8 fav.
At the evening meeting in Clonmel, where there were three semifinals with two qualifying from each in the Carrick Aldo @ Stud National Produce Stakes. First winner was Blastoff Heffo for Philip Buckley in 28.94 by one length. Snazzy Boss won the second heat for Graham Holland in the fastest of the three heats in 28.23 by four lengths. Final semifinal heat winner was Lemon Joey for the Short Back And Sides Syndicate in 28.52 by one length at 5/2.
Upcoming Events
Friday, final of the KGOBA Open 525 Stakes in Tralee. Saturday, quarterfinals of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby in Towcester.
Final of the Open 750 in Cork, final of the Carrick Aldo @ Stud ON2 525 in Mullingar, quarterfinals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks and semifinals of the AO Summer Cup in Shelbourne.
Sunday, final of the Carrick Aldo @ Stud National Produce Stakes in Clonmel.
One For The Notebook
Tiny Butler looks a very interesting prospect for Anthony O’Grady after winning her last three in a row improving her time with every run. This lightly raced bitch won’t be two years old until July and certainly one to keep an eye on after her win on Saturday in a fine 29.69 (50 slow) by five lengths. Promising performance.
Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week
Carrick Scholsey gets the nod this week for winning in the first round of the AO Summer Cup in Shelbourne on Saturday in a rapid 28.44 by six lengths for Thomas Glynn. Super run for his first race at Headquarters. No doubt many more wins to come.
Offaly Winners
There were eight Offaly winners this week, congratulations to all involved.