GONE TO THE DOGS: Modest return of winners for Offaly greyhounds this week
Carrick Scholsey selected as 'Offaly Dog of the Week' for third week
AFTER last week's high of eleven winners it was a much more modest return of winners for the Offaly dogs. We had some quality ones with plenty of sweepstakes winning money coming to the Faithful County including one which certainly caught the eye.
The big events this week were obviously the semifinals of the English Derby in Towcester, the semifinals of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud AAO stake in Tralee, the second round of the Club A4 Derby in Limerick, the semifinals of the Irish Oaks, the first round of the Champion 550 and the final of the AO Summer Cup all in Shelbourne.
Early Week Racing
Shelbourne, Thursday, final of the Upcoming Corn Cuchalainn Novice 750 stake. The €1.75k first prize went to the classicly bred Meenagh Manila (Broardstrand Bono-Meenagh Miracle) for Michael Corr in 42.65 by five lengths at 5/1. First Offaly winner of the week was at this meeting as Highview Plan won the semifinal of an A4 stake for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman and Edenderry owner Peter Killaly in 28.66 by three lengths at 2/1.
In Enniscorthy, in the semifinals of the A2 April Stakes with an eventual €4K winner's prize to next weeks conclusion. Fairly Giddy won the first for Margaret Stafford in 29.09 by two lengths at 5/4 with the second semifinal going to Panderoto for Tommy Woods in 29.17 also by two lengths at 10/1.
Friday Racing
First Offaly winner of the weekend was in the semifinals of an A3 stake in Newbridge. Laughil Emma won the first semi for Kilcormac owner Mary Jennings in 29.11 by three lengths at 3/1 with Kevin Losty training.
Three semifinals in the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud AAO 550 won last year by Coolavanny Otto for Pat Buckley. The standout performance was by veteran Seven Beach who broke the track record for Jennifer O’Donnell when stopping the clock at an amazing 29.15 (10 fast) by five lengths at 5/4 fav. Other two winners were Cheque For Cash for Karol Ramsbottom who held the track record for thirty minutes in 29.17 (10 fast) another sensational performance. The final semi winner was Callaway Knegare for Owen McKenna in 29.53 (10 fast) by five lengths at 5/4 fav.
Saturday Racing
The two best races in Curraheen Park in Cork were the semifinals of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced stake. The first heat winner was Toolmaker King, for Robert Gleeson in 28.25 (10 fast), by five lengths at 9/4. The second semi went to Ballymac Lake for Liam Dowling in 28.31 (10 fast) by two lengths at 4/5 fav.
Also in Cork, in the final of the Dan and Sheila Buckley Memorial A4 stake Turbine Taylor (Dorotas Wildcat-Mucky Harbour) won the €2k first prize, in 28.47 (10 fast) making it three wins from three start in this competition by seven lengths at 2/7 fav, for local trainer Jim McCarthy.
Limerick, second round of the Time Club A4 Graders Derby with Bubu setting the bar highest for Dave Bourke in 28.54 (10 fast) by two lengths at 2/1.
Two Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an A4 contest, Lahinch Blaze had his seventeenth career win for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 30.28 by one length at 2/1.
In an A2 grade Shear Bear won for Rhode owner Sean Cocoman in a fine 29.30 by two lengths at 6/4.
It was a magnificent night's racing in Shelbourne with loads of top class action. In the final of the AO Summer Cup Stake there was a magnificent Offaly winner as Carrick Scholsey (Droopys Scolari-Droopys Beaufort) won the €10k first prize for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn. This Robert Gleeson young pup has been sensational in this competition going through unbeaten and winning the final in 28.43 by two lengths at 9/4. No doubt the Derby next for this very progressive and talented young hound. Innfield Destiny was second for Barry Clancy and received a cheque for €4K. In the semifinals of the Sporting Press Online Edition AAO Irish Oaks Lemon Orla won the first for Tom O’Neill in 28.36 by two lengths at 5/4 fav. The second semi went to Sadies Lucy for Paul Daly in 28.44 by two lengths at a generous 7/1.
In the first round of the Shelbourne Champion 550 stake won last year by Carmac King for Owen McKenna. Three heats with Left Corner Back going fastest of the trio for Thomas Leahy in 29.72 by five lengths at 5/2.
English Derby
As predicted before the start of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby it would be total dominance this year by the Irish dogs in Towcester and wouldn’t be a major surprise if all six finalists were from this side of the Irish Sea. It turned out to be very close to what happened as five of the finalists on Saturday will be Irish and only for an unfortunate injury to Dynamic Force it possibly would have been all six. Heat one was dominated by favorite Bockos Diamond for Graham Holland as he showed his usual burst of early pace to clear the field and kennel companion Cheap Sandwiches winning by two lengths at a very decent 6/4 fav. The only English survivor was Droopys Plungein third for P Janssens. The second semi was a one, two and three for us with last year’s winner De Lahdedah for Liam Dowling getting up on the line to win by a length in 28.62. Sole Mio was second for Peter Cronin with Bombay Pat for Holland a further length back. This remarkable achievement proves once again that the top English dogs, top English trainers can’t compete with the cream from the Emerald Isle.
With Holland having three in the final, including the favorite, it’s hard to look beyond him lifting another Derby trophy. Fingers crossed.
English Derby Betting
Before Saturday's semifinals the Irish dogs had totally dominated the market with leading Irish bookmaker Paddy Power having all six Irish dogs top of the market. Bockos Diamond was at 11/4 fav, Cheap Sandwiches 3/1, De Lahdedah 5/1, Sole Mio 8/1 and Bombay Pat at 10/1. 14/1 bar. After the thrilling semifinals Sunday morning betting for Saturday’s final was as follows
Sunday Racing
Three Offaly winners at the afternoon meeting in Mullingar. In an A6 race Lahinch Lilly won in 30.23 (50 slow) by two lengths at 3/1 again for Clara owner Cleary. The last two Offaly winners of the week were for Moneygall owner Liam Jones. In an A5 contest Land Cruiser won in 29.85 (50 slow) by a neck at 5/1. In an A3 grade Foulkscourt Best won in a decent 29.67 (50 slow) by three lengths at 7/4.
At the evening meeting in Clonmel in the final of the Kieran and Hanna Purcell Memorial A4 stake Dwell Mock (King Sheeran-Swift Zap) won the €1.8k first prize in 28.89 by six lengths at 11/10 fav for the Scrapings Of The Pot Syndicate.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, Enniscorthy, final of the April A2 stakes. Friday, final of the Callaway Pro Am Open 550 in Tralee and final of the A3 sweepstake in Newbridge. Saturday, final of the Star Sports and TRC English Derby in Towcester, final of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open unraced in Cork, quarterfinals of the Time Club A4 Derby in Limerick, semifinals of the Champion 550 and final of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks both in Shelbourne.
One For The Notebook
Laughil Emma who won in the semifinal of an A3 sweepstake on Friday, in Newbridge on Friday in a smart 29.11, looks a decent prospect for Mary Jennings. The Kilcormac owner is no stranger to having future champions in her kennel.
Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week
For the third week in a row Carrick Scholsey gets the nod for Thomas Glynn after winning the final of the AO Summer Cup in a magnificent 28.43 by two lengths. For Offaly business man Thomas who has put his money down annually buying expensive dogs hoping to win these stakes while also sponsoring stakes supporting this industry where his imput is seriously valued. Great win. Great Offaly dog.
Offaly Winners
There were eight Offaly winners this week, congrats to all connections.