Gone to the dogs: Midland supporters concerned about future of Mullingar Saturday evening meeting

Midland greyhound supporters are fearful that the long standing Saturday evening meeting in Mullingar could go.

placeholder image — Midland greyhound supporters are fearful that the long standing Saturday evening meeting in Mullingar could go.

Another quiet week for Offaly winners however there were some quality ones in the mix. The 2024 Dublin Cup was the highlight of the week’s racing.

Early week training

Nothing much to report for the earlier part of the week with no Offaly winners.

Friday Racing

The entire twelve race card in Shelbourne was given over to the first round of the 2024 A2 Dublin Cup won last year by Foggy Bottom for Laurence Jones. Fastest of the twelve was Newline Fortune for Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson, in 28.64, by an ever increasing eleven lengths at 1/1 fav. A double on the night for Navan trainer Oliver Bray with all the other top trainers having a winner each.

In Newbridge, in the final of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust A1 stake, Nellys Twink (Magical Bale-Midas Fern) won the €1.610k in 28.84 for Colette Ennis and Megan Dee by one length at 1/1 fav.

First Offaly winner of the week was in the supporting card as Coolree Best won an A4 575 in 32.00 for Daingean owner Eugene Glennon by five lengths at 6/4.

Mullingar has doubled its matinee meetings to twice weekly with the inclusion of its new Friday afternoon meeting which is now becoming a permanent fixture on the Greyhound weekly calendar. This new Friday matinee meeting is also being run for S.I.S racing similar to the matinee meeting on Sunday. There was no Saturday racing this week but it’s advised as being back this Saturday. Moving forward it’s very hard to see Mullingar sustaining three weekly meetings. Sadly its expected the Saturday one will be culled in the near future which would be a great shame as there has been racing on a Saturday in Mullingar since 1932. The two bags racing meetings are generally for the lower grade of dogs. This leaves owners and trainers heading to other tracks with their A2 or better dogs in circumstances where higher grade races are not available in Saturday race cards in Mullingar. The jury is out on this format being positive moving forward for the betterment of greyhound racing in the midlands.

Saturday racing

Shelbourne Park, semifinals of the Barking Buzz AO 550 yard stake were the best two races on a decent card, Connough Mary won the first for Barry Clancy in 30.04 by one length at 4/5 fav. The second semi was won three lengths faster as Simons Cap stopped the clock in 29.84 for Skip Gilbert winning by three lengths at 5/2.

Two Offaly winners on the undercard, both for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman. In the first race of the night, an A4 contest, Brayview Jet won by three lengths in 29.32 at 3/1. In an A1 grade Highview Treat was first across the finish line in 28.53 by nine lengths at 5/4 fav.

Thurles staged the final of the Mickey O’Sullivan Memorial A2 525 stake. The €1.25k first prize pot went to Bogger Ace (Pestana-Bogger Bonnie) for Liam Peacock in 28.86 (20 slow) by five lengths at 5/2.

In Kilcohan Park in Waterford, in the semifinals of the Graigavine Livestock and WTSC Novice 730 yard stake, the first heat went to Miss Wildcat for Leo Dunphy and Paddy Quinn in 41.46 by four lengths at 1/1 fav. The second semi went to Rockmount Lucy for Brendan Murphy in 41.44 by nine lengths at 6/4 fav. Very little separating these two winners heading into Saturday’s final.

Sunday Racing

Three meetings scheduled for Sunday including the matinee meeting in Mullingar were all postponed due to the freezing conditions and poor visibility from heavy fog. These cards will be rescheduled for this Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of an A2 525 stake in Dundalk and second round of the Dublin Cup in Shelbourne.

Saturday, final of the Barking Buzz AO 550 final in Shelbourne and final of the Graigavine Livestock and WTSC Novice 730 in Waterford.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Highview Treat gets the nod this week winning her fourth career race, in 28.53 for Gerry Merriman, on Saturday in Shelbourne in an A1 race by nine lengths. Good run.

Offaly Winners

There were three Offaly winners this week, well done to all connections.

Statistics for 2023

For the twelfth year in a row Graham Holland is champion trainer with 209 wins for the Riverside Kennels trainer. Pat Buckley was second with 148 wins to his name. Derby winner The Other Kobe won the most money with €138k amassed with Con and Annie Kirby winner Clonbrien Treaty second on €117k. Rathdown Molly for Marie and Skip Gilbert and Bogger Dusty for Liam Peacock were equal leading winning dogs nationwide with 15 wins each.

In Mullingar, leading owner was Marcella Campbell with 75 wins, dog with most wins at the Westmeath venue was Mumbai Kiwi on eleven wins for David Murray. Leading private trainer was David O’Neill on 26 wins while leading public trainer was Ian Reilly on 56.

Newbridge, leading owner Eugene Price on 37 wins, dog with most wins was Nellys Twink on 8, leading private trainer was Barry Clancy on 12, leading public trainer was once again Jerry Melia on 41.

Shelbourne, leading public trainer was Holland on 64, private trainer was shared between Oliver Bray and Micheal Donnelly on 18 wins. Lets Go Bubbles was leading winning dog for Owen McKenna for 10, while Croghan owner Dolores Merriman was leading owner on a great 29 wins.