Gone to the dogs: Six Offaly winners
This week's racing highlights include the final of the Dublin Cup on Friday in Shelbourne, the final of the first big unraced open competition of the year, on Sunday evening in Clonmel and first round of the Tote Gold Cup Open Stake also in Shelbourne where Offaly dogs were to the fore.
Early week racing
Nothing of note to report for the first four days of the week with most of the action focused in the southern tracks.
Friday racing
No Offaly winners at Mullingar's afternoon meeting.
First Offaly winner of the week was in the semifinals of the Eamonn Wheatley Memorial A4 stake in Newbridge Airazor, won for Edenderry owners Miss Rebecca Cronin and Miss Katie Hackett, in 29.53 by two lengths at a short price of 1/2 fav with Paul Cronin training. The second semi in this stake was won by Max Pay for Eric Thorpe in 29.46 by a short head at 5/1.
In the semi-final of the This Runs Deep A3 sweepstake, the first semi went to Susie Chaperal for the Twenty-Eight- Eighty-Two Syndicate which has two great Rhode and Offaly men in their ranks Seamus Darby and Gerry Hickey. Susie won her twelfth career race in 29.56 by one length at 3/1 with Barry Clancy training. She has now earned over €5k in winning prize money.
The first big final of the week was the 2024 Dublin Cup A2 525 stake, the €7.5k first prize pot went to Hello Rose (Burgess Bucks-Holycross Heidi) who made it five wins from nine starts in 28.57 by two lengths at 5/1 and this was certainly her biggest win of her career and also for her owner Andy Hogan. Headinthewindow was second for Murt Leahy and received a cheque for €3k.
Saturday racing
First Faithful County winner on Saturday was in Galway where Fenrir won an A6 race for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in 29.32 (10 slow) by four lengths at 3/1.
Limerick staged their first big final of the year the Born Warrior @ Stud A1 525. The €3k first prize went to Barefoot On Fire (Grangeview Ten-Jaytee Osprey) for trainer Paul Hennessy and lifetime owners of quality greyhounds Bryan and Kathleen Murphy in 28.71 by one length at 3/1.
The last five races on the card in Thurles were the first round heats of the Dinny Mackey Memorial A3 stake. The stake had very competitive races with Borna Rooster setting the bar highest in Heat four in 29.12 (20 slow) by three lengths at 2/1 for Ruairi Dwan.
The first valuable stake of the year in Shelbourne got underway on Saturday, with six heats of the 2024 Tote Gold Cup 525 won last year Bogger Hunter for Ian Reilly who won a handsome cheque of €16k. All the top dogs were out in force for the kickoff with Ballymac Finn delivering the fastest time for Liam Dowling in 28.17 by five lengths. Next fastest on the clock and only one hundred of a second slower was Carrick Aldo for Thomas Glynn who stopped the clock in 28.18, winning by two lengths at 1/2 fav, with David Murray at the helm. Expect last years National Sprint winner Aldo to go very close to winning this prestigious stakes for the North Offaly owner. Next best on the night was Optic Chico for Rathangan trainer Robert Gleeson who crossed the whitewash in 28.28 by four lengths at 3/1.
Sunday racing
Two Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, both in the A4 grade. Over The Top had his seventh careers win for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 29.62 (50 slow) by a wide margin of seven lengths at 3/1. Horseleap Betty had her second win for Sean McGuinness in 28.77 (50 slow) by five lengths at 15/8 fav.
A great night’s race in Clonmel on Sunday to coincide with the National Coursing meeting and a super crowd was in attendance to witness the first Open Unraced final of the year, The Rural Kennels Stake. Graham Holland won this stake last year with Rural Kihei and was back to retain his title as Romeo Taylor (Newinn Taylor-Fabulous Mila) won in a very tight finish by half a length in 28.74 (10 slow) at 9/2. €8k to Holland here and owner David Firmager. Ballymac Dancia was second for Dowling and received a purse of €2.5k.
The unlucky dog in the final was Carrick Keano for Thomas Glynn who found a serious amount of trouble in the race and was only beaten a length and a head in fourth and this Offaly dog certainly has a very bright future and a better galloping track like Shelbourne should bring out the best in him. One for the notebook.
Upcoming Events
Friday, final of the Eamonn Wheatley Memorial A4 and final of the This Runs Deep A3 stake both in Newbridge. Saturday, quarterfinals of the Tote Gold Cup in Shelbourne and quarter-finals of the Dinny Mackey Memorial A3 in Thurles.
Tribune Offaly dog of the week
Carrick Aldo easily gets the nod this week for winning in the first round of the Tote Gold Cup Open in Shelbourne on Saturday for Thomas Glynn in a spectacular 28.18. What a performance.
Offaly Winners
Six Offaly winners this week. Well done to all connections.