Gone to the dogs: Nine Offaly winners
After the high last week of Shelbourne's Winter Festival Of Racing this week's racing was much more modest. However, there was some exciting racing with the highlights being the first round of the Christmas Oaks in Shelbourne, the Riverside Kennels Munster Xmas cup in Clonmel and first round of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby in Tralee. Some decent Offaly winners in the mix as is the norm.
Early Week Racing
Thursday, Enniscorthy, final of the Good Cody @ Stud Open Unraced stakes, Ballymac Sorrel (Ballymac Vic-Ballymac Wisdom) won the €3.2k first prize for Pat Buckley in 29.01 (20 slow) by four lengths at 5/4 joint fav.
Friday Racing
Clonmel, quarter-finals of the Riverside Kennels Munster Xmas AO Cup, four very closely contested heats with Swords Hero going fastest for Graham Holland in 28.68 by three lengths at 1/1 fav.
First Offaly winner of the week was in Galway, in an A4 contest Baby Firefly won for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in 29.41 (20 slow) by one length.
Two more Offaly winners in Shelbourne, both in the A2 grade and both for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman. First up was Highview Annie in 29.30 by two lengths at 4/1 and then Highview Superb in a 575 race in 31.28 by four lengths at 7/2.
In Tralee, in the first round of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby Open 525 won last year by Road Exile for Pat Buckley. Four heats with Daleroad Devon setting the bar highest for Pat Guilfoyle in 28.16 by four lengths at 6/4 joint fav. Next best on the clock was Glengar Martha for Buckley again in 28.18 by five lengths at 3/1.
Saturday Racing
A fine crowd in Cork's Curraheen Park to witness some fantastic racing, in the semifinals of the Ger Gubbins Construction LTD A2 stakes. Lemon Orla won the first for Tom O’Neill in 28.47 by five lengths at 5/4. The second semi was won by Newinn Nana for Pat O’Connell in 28.80 by four lengths at 3/1.
In the first round of the Elite Contracting Open 575 won last year by Easy Razzle for Johnny Linehan. Four heats with Extra Gain going fastest of the quartet for Gerry Holian in 30.89 by six lengths at 4/1.
First Faithful County winner on Saturday was again for Margaret Bolton in Galway as Seekers Jet had his tenth career victory in an S3 350 yard sprint in 19.50 (.05 slow) by one length.
Two more Offaly winners in Mullingar, in the final of an ON3 Unraced Stake Remeniss (Pestana-Love Honey) was on the winners podium for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon in 29.82 (50 slow) by three lengths at 6/1 with a cheque for €500 heading his way. In the last race on the card an A3 grade, Lahinch Molly won for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 29.74 (50 slow) by three lengths at 3/1.
In Shelbourne, in the first round of the Bernard Barry Open Christmas Oaks, won last year by Rathdown Molly for Skippy Gilbert. Five heats with Drive On Beauty setting the standard for Christopher O’Donovan in 28.29 by five lengths at 4/6 fav.
Sunday Racing
Another three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. The first two races on the card went to Moneygall owner Liam Jones, in an A5 grade Foulkscourt Best was first back in kennels in 30.31 (50 slow) by one length at 11/2. In an A3 race Foyle Con competed the double for Jones in 29.56 (50 slow) also by one length at 4/1.
In an A5 contest Killeshill Belle won for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 29.69 (50 slow) by four lengths at 3/1.
Upcoming Events
Friday, semi-finals of the Riverside Kennels Munster Xmas Cup and semifinals of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby in Tralee.
Saturday, final of the Ger Gubbins Construction LTD A2 525 and semifinals of the Elite Contracting Open 575 both in Cork and quarter-finals of the Bernard Barry Open Christmas Oaks in Shelbourne.
Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week
Remeniss gets the nod this week for winning the final of an ON3 unraced stake in Mullingar on Saturday, for former Offaly footballer David Hanlon, in a smart 29.82 (50 slow) by three lengths. Decent performance.
Offaly Winners
Nine Offaly winners this week, well done to all connections.