Gone to the dogs: Seven Offaly winners

After the storms of recent weeks led to  postponements we finally got a full week of racing, this week, with all scheduled racing going ahead.

The highlights of the week were the six heats in the second round of the Dublin Cup in Shelbourne on Friday, six heats in the first round of the Tote Gold Cup also at Headquarters, semi-finals of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced in Clonmel and final of the Gaytime Kennels A2 stake in Cork all on Saturday. After drawing a blank last week Offaly dogs were once again back in the winners enclosure.

Early Week Racing

Nothing of note for the first four days  of the week.

Friday Racing

First Offaly winner of the week was at the matinee meeting in Mullingar. Lahinch Lilly won the first race on the card, an A3 grade, in 29.99 (60 slow) by four lengths at 4/1 for Clara owner P.J. Cleary.

At the evening meeting in Tralee, in the semi-finals of the Barking Buzz A1 Kerry Oaks, Crafty Bondi won the first heat for Peter Divilly in 28.01 by six lengths at 1/1 fav. The second semi was won by Highway Wink for Ray Fleming in a slower 28.53 by two lengths at 3/1.

In the second round of the Dublin Cup A2 525 which had six heats (won last year by Hello Rose for Andy Hogan), Sober Secret again set the bar highest for Karol Ramsbottom, in 28.46, by nine lengths at 4/5 fav. Looks like the one they all have to beat.

Saturday Racing

Clonmel, semi-finals of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced Stake, The Other Wild won the first for Killenaule trainer Jennifer O’Donnell, in 28.70 by one length at 1/1 fav. The second semi was won in identical time of 28.70 by Faypoint Ranger for Graham Holland by ten lengths at 5/4 fav.

Curraheen Park in Cork staged the final of the Gaytime Kennels A2 stake with the €3.5k first prize cheque going to Morrigan Fay (Malachi-Droopys Megan) and local Cork specialist Kieran Lynch in 28.65 by six lengths at 4/1. 

In the final of the Old Creamery Bar Hospital AO Stake in Limerick Starson Frankie (Explosive Boy-Hazelfield Echo) won the €2.5k pot for Pat O’Connell in 28.29 (10 fast) by two lengths at 7/2. One Offaly winner on the supporting card, in an Open 525 Right Mag won for Rhode owner Fr. Greg Corcoran in 28.78 (10 fast) by a neck at 3/1 with Pat Guilfoyle training.

Three Offaly winners in Mullingar with two for  P.J. Cleary again. In an A5 contest Lahinch Murphy won by two lengths in 30.02 (60 slow) at 6/4 fav. Cleary’s other winner was in a final of an A4 stake as Apache Gem (Malachi-Marks Pearl) was too good for his rivals when winning in 29.95 (60 slow) by three lengths at 3/1.  In an A3 grade Foyle Con won for Moneygall owner Liam Jones in 29.77(60 slow) by two lengths at 3/1.

Shelbourne held the first round of the Open Tote Gold Cup  won last year by Boylesports Coco for Dolores Ruth. Six heat with Seven Beach setting  the bar highest when stopping the timer in 28.36 (20 slow) by six lengths. Second fastest in the competition was Carrick Aldo who was winning his twentieth race for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn in a super 28.39 (20 slow) by three lengths at 4/7 fav with David Murray training.

Sunday racing

The only Offaly winner on Sunday was at the matinee meeting in Mullingar as Killeshill Glam won for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 29.90 (60 slow) by five lengths at 5/2. 

At the evening meeting in Clonmel it was a festival night to coincide with the National Coursing meeting with eight races worth €1k or more to the winners. In the final of the John White Memorial A3 Guys and Dolls stake the €2.5k purse went to Imokilly Roxanne (Coolavanny Hoffa-Cunnigar Spice) for Adam Dunford in 28.85 by four lengths at a short 8/13 fav. In the final of the Sporting Press A1 550 yard stake Mustang Marydel (Magical Bale-Mustang Kay Cee) won the €2k first prize by one length in 30.19 at a generous 9/1 for Sean Bourke and Paul Horig.

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the Barking Buzz A1 Kerry Oaks in Tralee and quarterfinals of the A2 Dublin Cup 525 in Shelbourne.

Saturday, quarter-finals of the Tote Gold Cup in Shelbourne. Sunday, final of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced in Clonmel.

Tribune Offaly Dog Of The Week

Carrick Aldo gets the nod this week for Thomas Glynn when winning a heat of the Tote Gold Cup stake  in Shelbourne on Saturday night in a magnificent 28.39 (20 slow) by three lengths. Magical performance. 

Offaly Winners

Seven Offaly winners this week. Well done to all connections.