Gone to the dogs: Five Offaly winners as Donal Beatty memorial reaches final stages
Memory of late Killeigh man celebrated with greyhound races
The semi-finals of the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchalainn Open 750 and the semifinals of the Maiden Derby Open 550 dominated the week’s racing in Shelbourne. Limerick staged the semifinals of the Treaty Cup and the quarterfinals of the Time Club Graders Derby while the quarterfinals of the Tipperary Cup were the featured races in Thurles. Loads more Sweepstakes action and valuable finals around the tracks with plenty of top class Offaly results in the mix.
Early Week Racing
Enniscorthy, Monday Semifinals of the Wexford GOBA Open Unraced Stake. Son Of Anarchy won the first for Joe Anglim in 29.28 (20 slow) by four lengths at 2/1. The second was won by Priceless Ron for Paul Hennessy, two lengths faster in 29.14 (20 slow), by seven lengths at 1/1 fav.Tuesday, Shelbourne. Three finals were run on a decent nights racing. In an A4 decider Highview Will (McInerney-Highview Mission) won the €1.75k pot for Garristown trainer Liam O’Rourke in 28.99 by four lengths at 6/1. In the final of a Dual Distance 550/575 Stake Preferthesister (Grangeview Ten-Wise Eruption) won the €2k purse for Declan Beary in 31.36 by four lengths at 6/4 fav.
In the conclusion of the Shelbourne Regulars A2 Stake, Curraghmoredaisy (King Sheeran-Knockmitten Bawn) won for William White in 28.53 by two lengths at 3/1 with another €2k going their way.First Offaly winner of the week was at the SIS meeting in Mullingar. Apache Gem had his sixteenth career win for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in an A4 contest in 29.77 (70 slow) by three lengths at 3/1.In the last race at the SIS meeting in Limerick on Thursday we had our second win. Lemon Arnold won an A5 race for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.26 by two lengths at 5/2.
Friday Racing
At the SIS matinee meeting in Mullingar Killeshill Glam won in an A7 grade in 30.60 (1.00 slow) by one length at 15/8 for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch. One final in Shelbourne Park. In the Barking Buzz A2 finale Sheebeen Flyer (Dromano Bucko-Glynnscross Judy) won the €2k first prize for 28.36 (20 fast), by one length, at 2/1 for Mark Robinson. Two more Offaly winners both in semifinals of different AO stakes. Brayview Lad won the first one for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman in 28.90 (20 fast) by one length at 7/1. Foulkscourt Cody won in the second stake for Tullamore owner Niall Deegan in a career best run of 28.20 (20 fast) by five lengths at 3/1.
Saturday Racing
No Offaly winners in any track last Saturday which is certainly a rarity.
Limerick, semi-finals of the West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350 sprint. Portrush Ben won the first for Pat Kiely in 18.54 by one length at 7/4. The second heat was faster as Tiermana Dream stopped the clock in 18.31 for Colm Fitzgerald winning by seven lengths at 1/1 fav. Also in Limerick the quarterfinals of the Time Club A4 Graders Derby were run. Private Luna set the standard for John Byrne winning in 28.70 by one length at 8/1.
The best four races in Mullingar were the quarterfinals of the Pat Curtin Memorial A4 Stakes. Super Mac was fastest of the four for Paul Hennessy, who doesn’t run many dogs in the Westmeath venue, in a super time of 28.96 (60 slow) by thirteen lengths at 1/1 fav. Hard to see this young dog who only has had four races being beaten in this valuable stake.
Thurles, quarter-finals of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Open 525. Bills Harbour set the benchmark when winning in a smart 28.64 (40 slow) by five lengths at 6/1 with Battie O’Connor training.
The main action of the weekend was in Shelbourne Park. A quality line up of valuable stakes all at semifinal stage. The semi’s in the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchalainn Open 750 had two super winners. Lennies Desire once again set the standard for Paul Hennessy and has now won four on the bounce in 41.09 by four lengths at 10/11 fav. The second semi was won by Doon (Limerick) trainer Pat Buckley as Singalong Polly crossed the line in 41.20 by four lengths at 11/4. Should be a cracking final in memory of one of Tullamore’s favourite sons.
In the semi-finals of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration And Air Conditioning Open Unraced Stakes, Ballymac Hitman won the first for Liam Dowling in a serious 28.15 by two lengths at 5/4. The remaining semi was won in a more modest 28.61 as Razldazl Thelma won for Dolores Ruth by three lengths at a big returning price of 10/1.
In the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby AAO 550, Jacktavern Bull won the first for Northern Ireland trainer Michael Taggart in 29.62, by a head, also at a big price of 9/1. Sleight Of Hand won the second for Laurence Jones in a superb 29.34 by six lengths at 4/1.
Upcoming Events
Monday, final of the Wexford GOBA Open Unraced in Enniscorthy. Friday, first round of the Boylesports Champion Stakes and conclusion of two AO stakes all in Shelbourne.
Saturday, Limerick, final of the Treaty Cup open Sprint and semifinals of the Time Club Graders Derby both in Limerick. Semi-finals of the Pat Curtin memorial in Mullingar and semifinals of the Tipperary Cup in Thurles. Shelbourne, final of the Open Unraced Stake, final of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby and final of the Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn Open 750.
Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week
Foulkscourt Cody gets the nod this week for winning his semifinal of an AO stake in Shelbourne last Friday in a career best run of 28.20 (20 fast) by five lengths. Cracking run for Niall Deegan’s dog and hopefully now can win his third stake final on Friday. Great hound.
Offaly Winners
Five Offaly winners this week. Congrats to all connections.