GALWAY’S BROADWAY STAKE
Wednesday, December 31st
A few days back we reported that the Broadway Pet Foods A3 Stake is due to kick off at Galway on January 17th. Now we have an update on the conditions of the event from Ollie Hestor.
The competition will have a winner’s prize of 10,000 Euro and will be confined to greyhounds that have NEVER bettered A3 Grade. The event is sponsored by Tom Quinn of Broadway Pet Foods and is guaranteed to attract a few runners capable or running a number of grades superior to A3.
THE FIRST SALES
Wednesday, December 31st
The first Greyhound Sales of the year of the year will be staged at Thurles on Saturday and we hear from Daniel Monk that they have a very strong catalogue of 129 lots. As ever, the trials will begin at 9 a.m. while the auction will commence at noon. There will be another Sales on the eve of the Clonmel Festival on Saturday, January 31st.
Entries close on Saturday week, January 10th, for the Goldmine Ramble @ Stud A2 525. This is a 48 event for A2 greyhounds and carries a winner’s prize of 2,500 Euro.
A reminder that the 2009 Pop Gun International will be staged on Saturday, January 31st. the Pop Gun series will comprise of four open races over 360, 525, 600 and 750 while there will also be supporting opens over 570, 840 and 1,035 yards.
BOY’S SMYTH SHOCKER
Monday, December 29th
Sean Devoy’s Away Me Boy sprang a 5-1 shock in the final of the 2,700 Euro Ben Smyth Memorial A6 570 at Longford on Monday.
The favourite Bumblebee Niall missed the start and never got into contention. But Away Me Boy, a son of Crash and Walk In Tune, was smartly away and led all the way before holding the challenge of Annie Laurie by three parts of a length in 31.80.
The 960 Euro Track Bookmakers A4 525 final was won by Company Lad in 29.18. Damien Walsh’s son of Crash and Zax Tina led all the way in beating the favourite Asaylad by two and a half lengths.
Another valuable 570 event will commence at Longford on Friday night. The Ningbo Jack/ Mount Cashel Kennels A3 570 has met with a great response from owners and it will be run as a 48 dog event instead of the advertised number of 36.
GUINNESS TROPHY
Wednesday, December 31st
It has become something of a personal campaign at this stage but I must say it is sad to see the Guinness Trophy at Curraheen Park being run as an A1 event these days. In bygone days the Guinness was the first early season open event on the calendar but it has lost much of its prestige in modern times.
Granted, a number of former open racers will contest it in the guise of Backgraders, and hopefully we will see a few young dogs emerge with glowing reputations. The event is for 36 dogs and boasts a prize fund of 10,000 Euro. The entries close on Tuesday, January 20th with the first round heats to be run on Saturday, January 24th.
Entries close at Curraheen on Saturday for a 12 dog A4 525 with a winner’s prize of 800 Euro. The heats will be run on Friday 9th. Next Tuesday, January 6th, is the closing date for the 18 dog 1,000 Euro Guardwell Safe Co. A3 575 and the heats will be staged on Saturday 10th.
The 24 dog 1,250 Euro Compass Kennels A5 525 will close on Friday 9th while also closing that day is a one off A3 Novice 750 with a winner’s prize of 400 Euro.
ASTON & LAUREL IN CASEY CLASH
Tuesday, December 30th
Irish Derby winner Shelbourne Aston will meet 2007 Derby runner-up Tyrur Laurel in the opening heat of the John J Casey Open 575 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
The Pat Curtin trained champion will wear the orange jacket in Heat 7 with four qualifying for the second round. Also in this heat are The Other Sonic, Trampus, Cloudy Lane and Lemon Fionn.
Edward O’Sullivan’s Derby finalist Headleys Bridge has drawn an interesting Heat 8 where among his rivals will be recent National Puppy Stake finalist Droopys Lee, the highly talented northern tracker Farloe Tucker and former UK racer Kilkenny Lonjack.
The recent National Puppy Stake winner Tip And Tin steps up in distance in Heat 3 where he looks ideally housed in six. It is a tricky looking contest with Springmount Loco and Ronnies Hustle formidable rivals.
Among the late entries for the competition was Larry Dunne’s flying bitch Kildallon Maid and she will be in action in the opening heat where Oran Black and Romance Alsation look the biggest threats.
The first four will qualify from all heats to make for six second round heats and then three semi-finals.
CASEY 575 DRAW
Heat 1: 1 Romance Alsation; 2 Oran Classic; 3 Mandeville Black; 4 Kildallon Maid; 5 Borna Leader; 6 Forest Buster (m).
Heat 2: 1 Skywalker Dream; 2 Daleys Buzz; 3 Frisky Fantasy; 4 Fatboyz Kaka; 5 Florida Rooster (m); 6 Bellmore Ranger (m).
Heat 3: 1 Dartrey Spring; 2 Shilmaine Sammy; 3 Compass Seamus; 4 Ronnies Hustle; 5 Springmount Loco; 6 Tip And Tin (m).
Heat 4: 1 Rince Boy; 2 Seamus; 3 Riverside King; 4 Killough Daisy; 5 Blackstone Gene (w); 6 Titan Tyrone (w).
Heat 5: 1 Compass Don; 2 Jemmy Doodlebeag; 3 Nawhobberthadda (w); 4 Dundrum Minor (w); 5 Hunters Delight (w); 6 The Other Achill (w).
Heat 6: 1 Forest Joy; 2 Findabitmore (m); 3 Shades Of Jonah (m); 4 Shelbourne Denny (m); 5 Doitfordawn (w); 6 Skywalker Night (w).
Heat 7: 1 Lemon Fionn; 2 Cloudy Lane; 3 Trampus (m); 4 Tyrur Laurel (m); 5 Shelbourne Aston (m); 6 The Other Sonic (w).
Heat 8: 1 Grayslands Tiger; 2 Farloe Tucker; 3 Coolamber Prunty; 4 Headleys Bridge; 5 Droopys Lee; 6 Kilkenny Lonjack (m).
Heat 9: 1 Carib King; 2 Dun Jon; 3 Banbas Vieri; 4 Compass Smash (m); 5 Swinford Mylo (m); 6 Imaal Master (m).
* Full Form in Upcoming Events
Important Notice To All Greyhound Owners
Please be aware that under the Racing Regulations, 2007 all greyhounds sold either privately or by public auction must be transferred into the names of their new owners forthwith and are not eligible to be tried or raced at any licensed track until this transfer of ownership is complete.
With the new EFT prize-money payments system on stream it is essential that all changes of ownership are fully completed, and also that existing ownership details are correct, before entering a greyhound at a venue as prize-money won by such a greyhound will be paid directly into the bank account of the current registered owner.
Your anticipated co-operation with this matter is greatly appreciated.
Pat Herbert
Head of Regulation
Irish Greyhound Board
DERBY HERO ASTON IN CASEY OPEN
Monday, December 29th
It’s not often that the Derby winner turns out in the first open competition of the New Year. Well, that’s just what will happen at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night when 2008 paddypower.com Irish Derby winner Shelbourne Aston contests the first round heats of the John J Casey Open 575.
Pat Curtin reports the dog to be in great form after a kennel virus had been the cause of his exit from the Golden Jacket at Galway. Pat explains the reason for the dog’s appearance so early in the season: “The Derby is the long-term target but he is a dog that needs racing, he goes mad at home when he is in good form. I thought the Casey 575 was ideal for him and next we would look at the Easter Cup and the Ladbrokes 600. He would then have a break until the Champion Stakes and a repeat bid for the Derby”.
Shelbourne racing manager Declan Carey is delighted that Shelbourne Aston is in the Casey line-up. “We have a great entry and having the Derby winner should bring in the punters”.
The Casey Open was advertised as a 48 dog event but has had to be extended to a 54 dog affair and the plan is to have nine first round heats on Saturday, with four qualifying. This will leave 36 dogs for the second round, then three semi-finals. Says Carey: “With the three semis we will also be in a position to put on a good Consolation Final. It will give us a great start to 2009”.
TOP CLASS ENTRY
While Shelbourne Aston tops the entry, there is quality all the way and the Derby hero won’t have things all his own way. Among his rivals will be Derby finalist Headleys Bridge, 2007 Derby runner-up Tyrur Laurel as well as Comerford Cakes National Puppy winner Tip And Tin.
Other entries include: Jemmy Doodlebeag, Daleys Buzz, Nawhobberthadda, Springmount Loco, Dun Jon, Mandeville Black, The Other Sonic, The Other Achill, Skywalker Night, Skywalker Dream, Blackstone Gene, Belmore Ranger, Tivoli Light, Titan Tyrone, Droopys Teabag, Ask Amy, Slick Spiral, Oran Classic, Frisky Fantasy, Dundrum Minor, Doitfordawn, Compass Smash, Compass Don, Compass Seamus, Farloe Tucker, Florida Rooster, Forest Buster, Killough Daisy, Borna Leader, Romance Alsation, Imaal Master, Ronnies Hustle, Carib King, Kilkenny Lonjack, Riverside King, Swinford Mylo, etc.
The draw will be made at 12 noon on Tuesday.
NIALL AT LONGFORD
Monday, December 29th
Longford Track rings out the old year with a fine programme on Monday evening. The card features the final of the Ben Smyth Memorial 570 which has a winner’s prize of 2,700 Euro.
The strong favourite will be Bumblebee Niall, a son of Toms The Best and Caraghmore Flyer trained by Paul Burke. He is unbeaten in the stake and ran away with the semi-final in 31.32. He goes from trap three and his main rival is expected to be Sheila Devoy’s Away Me Boy, a 31.64 semi winner.
Also on the card is the final of the Track Bookmakers A4 525 and this could develop into a battle between the two inside runners Company Lad and Asaylad.
Best on the clock is Fergus McCauley’s Asaylad with a 28.98 run in the semi and he might just win the dash to the bend from Damien Walsh’s Company Lad.
TOTE GOLD COLLAR
Wednesday, December 24th
The final of the Tote Gold Collar will be run at Harold’s Cross on Friday, January 2nd and the draw for the 12,500 Euro contest is: 1 Call Late; 2 Have Some Cop; 3 Rosminion; 4 Daleys Buzz; 5 Ballintine Drum; 6 Droopys Maestro (m).
Also included in that programme will be the finals of the New Year Restaurant Special A2 525, the Seasons Greetings A1 570, the Race Sponsorship A5 525 and the Trackside Signage D2 750, as well as semi-finals of the www.igb.ie A4 570 and the Gift Voucher A3 550.
Four new events will close to entries on Tuesday, January 6th. These are 18 dog 1,000 Euro D1 810, 24 dog 1,500 Euro A2 570, 24 dog 1,000 Euro A4 525 and 24 dog 1,250 Euro Novice 750.
BROADWAY PETFOODS A3 ON THE WAY
Wednesday, December 24th
Following the very successful first staging of the competition last year, it has been confirmed by Ollie Hester that the 2009 Broadway Petfoods A3 Stake will commence on January 17th.
With a winner’s prize of 10,000 Euro, the Broadway event is the most valuable A3 event in the country and is guaranteed to attract a tremendous entry. Full details of the competition will be announced next week.
IGB UNRACED CLOSES
Wednesday, December 24th
Sunday’s card at Clonmel will feature three Drohans Bakery finals while it is also the closing date for the IGB Open Unraced Stake, the final of which will be the major event in the special Coursing Week Festival.
The IGB is for 96 unraced greyhounds which have qualified on or after November 27th. The first round heats will be run on Thursday, January 1st and Sunday, January 4th. There will also be a Consolation Stake for 36 of the 48 dogs eliminated from round one and another for 18 of the 24 dogs knocked out in round two.
There will be no other novice races run at Clonmel during January. The final of this stake will, of course, take place during the week of the National Meeting and the first Sales of the year at Clonmel will be staged that week also, on Thursday, February 5th. Entries are currently being accepted for that catalogue.
The closing dates for sweepstakes being run in conjunction with the festival are:
January 8th – Clonmel Park Hotel A3 Tri-Distance (525, 550 & 575.
January 11th – Market Kennels A1 Puppy 525; Charity Jack Open Bitch Stake.
January 12th – Irish Examiner Open 750; John Hughes Memorial A2 575.
January 15th – Simon Molloy Memorial A3 Novice 750; Sporting Press A4 550.
January 25th – IGB A4 525.
January 26th – Imelda Phelan Open 575, IGB A5 Non Winners 525.
January 29th – Broadacres Open Puppy 525; IGB D2 790; IGB A8 525.
February 1st – IGB Open 550; IGB Open 300 & IGB A2 525.
CORK & GALWAY VIDEOS
Tuesday, December 23rd
Videos of racing at recent Galway and Cork meetings are now available of this website.
All races from Galway’s Golden Jacket final meeting on December 14th, plus the two semi-finals on December 6th are available.
Meanwhile, the videos of the Cork meetings on Saturdays, December 6th and 13th are also available. Simply log-in and access the results for those dates and then click on the video links.
THURLES POP GUN
Tuesday, December 23rd
It’s Christmas time and so thoughts in the greyhound world start turning towards the National Meeting Festival at Clonmel. That, of course, also includes the traditional Pop Gun International which sets the whole thing in motion on the Saturday night.
Daniel Monk, just back from a well earned sun holiday, has announced the early details of this year’s Pop Gun International which will be run on Saturday, January 31st.
The Pop Gun will be run over four open races between teams of Irish and English dogs. Those races will be 360, 525, 600 and 750. In addition the big night’s racing will also include open races over 570, 840 and 1,035 yards. Those interested in travelling should contact Thurles Stadium concerning travelling and lodging facilities.
A reminder to owners and trainers of A2 greyhounds, the Goldmine Ramble @ Stud A2 525 will commence on Saturday, January 10th and the Francis Tobin sponsored event will have a winner’s prize of 2,500 Euro.
Meanwhile, there will be two sales at Thurles track in January. The first is on Saturday week, January 3rd and then there is another on Saturday, January 31st.
LONGFORD ENTRIES CLOSE
Tuesday, December 23rd
One has to be impressed with the level of prizemoney that is continually on offer at Longford and we currently have one valuable event about to conclude and another set to commence!
On Monday next, December 29th, the final of the Ben Smyth Memorial 570 will be run and this event will have a winner’s prize of 2,700 Euro. The strong favourite will be Bumblebee Niall, a son of Toms The Best and Caraghmore Flyer trained by Paul Burke. He is unbeaten in the stake and ran away with the semi-final in 31.32.
He goes from trap three and his main rival is expected to be Sheila Devoy’s Away Me Boy, a 31.64 semi winner. The trap draw is: 1 Lorrha Pepsi; 2 Laidback Sam; 3 Bumblebee Niall; 4 Away Me Boy; 5 Paulines Pet; 6 Gorry Stranger.
Commencing on Friday, January 2nd is the valuable Ningbo Jack/ Mount Cashel Kennels A3 570 and this carries a winner’s prize of 3,000 Euro. A very strong entry is anticipated but there are still plenty of vacancies.
BID FOR AN XMAS GIFT
Wednesday, December 17th
Having difficulty in coming up with a Christmas present idea for a good friend? Well, the IGB’s Welfare & Racing Operations Support Manager Barry Coleman may just have the solution for you!
On the occasion of the big Retired Greyhound Trust benefit meeting at Tralee in August, four meal options were not auctioned due to time constraints. However the four tracks involved have honoured their commitment and these items are now up for grabs again. They would be ideal and much appreciated presents for any person with any interest in greyhounds.
The prizes involved are Admission & Meal for Four at Dundalk, Harold’s Cross, Mullingar and Clonmel tracks.
So, Barry is auctioning off the four prizes and anybody can bid up to 12 p.m. on Friday next, December 19th. If you are interested you can email your name, bid amount and track involved to barry.coleman@igb.ie. Alternatively you can text name, offer and track to 086 8030355.
Offers will be taken up to 12 noon on Friday and the vouchers will be sent out in the afternoon post. Full results will be on the IGB website by 2 p.m. on Friday. All proceeds will go directly to RGT.
CLONMEL SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 17th
While some tracks are heading into something of a valley period, the opposite is very much the case at Clonmel where the track is now entering its busiest phase.
The feature of Sunday’s programme will be the final of the Mary Bridget Dunford Memorial A6 Stake and then on Sunday 28th there will be three Drohans Bakery finals. Sunday week, 28th, is also the closing date for the IGB Open Unraced Stake, the final of which will be the major event in the special Coursing Week Festival.
The IGB is for 96 unraced greyhounds which have qualified on or after November 27th. The first round heats will be run on Thursday, January 1st and Sunday, January 4th. There will also be a Consolation Stake for 36 of the 48 dogs eliminated from round one and another for 18 of the 24 dogs knocked out in round two.
There will be no other novice races run at Clonmel during January. The final of this stake will, of course, take place during the week of the National Meeting and the first Sales of the year at Clonmel will be staged that week also, on Thursday, February 5th. Entries are currently being accepted for that catalogue.
The early closing dates for sweepstakes being run in conjunction with the festival are:
January 8th – Clonmel Park Hotel A3 Tri-Distance (525, 550 & 575.
January 11th – Market Kennels A1 Puppy 525; Charity Jack Open Bitch Stake.
January 12th – Irish Examiner Open 750; John Hughes Memorial A2 575.
January 15th – Simon Molloy Memorial A3 Novice 750; Sporting Press A4 550.
CROSS ABUZZ
Wednesday, December 17th
Friday’s meeting was always going to be a bit special but it now promises to be one of the biggest nights ever at the track.
The card includes the finals of the Ted Hegarty Marathon and the www.fprconstruction.com Open Sprint as well as the semi-finals of the Tote Gold Collar, the HX A1 570 and the HX A2 525. But now the meeting also features a Pick 7 Jackpot carryover of more than 112,000 Euro and an associated Guaranteed Pool of 175,000 Euro.
Then on Saturday the card will include five finals as well as heats of another stake. On Monday next there will be the final of the Tommy Kerrigan Xmas Cracker A3 570 and Tuesday’s card will include the semi-finals of the HX D2 750 and the heats of an A6 525.
Closing on Tuesday, January 6th are the 1,000 Euro HX D1 810, the 1,500 Euro HX A2 570, the 1,000 Euro HX A4 525 and the 1,250 Euro HX Novice 750.
CORK’S GUINNESS
Wednesday, December 17th
Cork’s first big event of 2009 will be the Guinness Trophy which will again be run as an A1 event with backgraders allowed. While it is a pity to see such a traditional competition being run off as an A1, it apparently wouldn’t fill if run as an open contest. The total prizefund will be 10,000 Euro and the entries close on Tuesday, January 20th.
Closing on Friday of this week, December 19th, is a 12 dog A4 575 with a winner’s prize of 1,000 Euro. The heats will be run on Friday, January 2nd.
The last pre-Christmas meeting will be staged at Curraheen Park on Saturday and there will then be racing on Saturday 27th, followed by Friday, January 2nd and Saturday, January 3rd.
The last trial date before Christmas will be Thursday (18th) after racing and trials will resume on Tuesday, January 13th.
BIG SHELBOURNE DATES
Wednesday, December 17th
It has been a truly hectic Christmas at Shelbourne and the crowds will continue to throng the restaurant areas on the four nights this week. But the sobering thought is that the first 2009 feature events are only around the corner.
The John J Casey Open 575 is traditionally the first major event of the year and it will kick off on Saturday, January 3rd. Entries will close on Saturday, December 27th at 10 a.m.
This will be followed later in the month by the Joe Dunne Memorial Puppy 525, a 48 dog stake for greyhound whelped in February ’07 or later. There will be a winner’s prize of 10,000 Euro for an event that closes on January 26th and starts on January 31st.
SETANTA REPLAY
Tuesday, December 16th
If you missed the opportunity to watch the Greyhound View Live programme from Galway on Sunday evening, then there is a second chance on Tuesday afternoon.
The full programme will be shown again on Setanta Ireland from 3 p.m. on Tuesday. It will afford the opportunity to witness Mardocs O Shea’s fine triumph in the Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket.
NEWBRIDGE 2008 FINALE
Tuesday, December 16th
It will be a very busy week on the Newbridge front with racing each night from Thursday to Saturday but there will then be a substantial break with no more racing this year. Indeed, the next meeting after Saturday will be on Friday, January 2nd.
The big meeting will be on Friday which is Dara Fitzpatrick Superstar Night with a number of stake finals and open contests. There will be opens over 325, 525, 550 and 845 and among the entries for the night are the likes of Tolerton Smasher, Hond The Gond, Sadie Vieri, Forest Joy, Brennans Pride, Droopys Twinkle, Swinford Mylo, Old Mill Wish, Iflookscouldkill, Rockmount Pride, etc, etc.
It is a really richly endowed meeting with over 15,000 Euro in prizemoney
On Thursday there will be the finals of the Kenny Thomson A4 and A5 Stakes plus the semi-finals of the N3 Unraced. There will be a real Christmas spirit with the pupils of the local St Conleth’s and Mary’s Primary Schools entertaining the crowd with Christmas Carol singing.
Racing will commence at 7.45 each night and there will be Live Music in the Masters Restaurant on the top level.
By the way, there will be unrecorded trials on the following dates over the Christmas period: Saturday, December 20th, Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th. All unrecorded trials must be pre-booked via the racing office. The racing office will be closed from Monday December 22nd to Monday, December 29th and any owners or trainers who wish to notify the withdrawal of any dogs entered for racing should leave a message on the office answering system.
YOUGHAL ON TUESDAY
Tuesday, December 16th
Tuesday racing returns at Youghal on Tuesday night next, December 23rd, for the final meeting of the year at the East Cork venue. A fine card is in prospect and there will be a real Christmas atmosphere. Perhaps Kathleen Lennon might even burst into a verse of song!
The next meeting after Tuesday will be on Friday, January 2nd. There will be unrecorded trials on Monday, December 29th.
MOIRA A SIZZLER
Monday, December 15th
Droopys Moira produced an astonishing run in a modest contest at Harold’s Cross on Monday night and is clearly a highly talented young tracker.
Trained by Ian Reilly for Sean Dunphy, Droopys Moira was contesting the modest A6 570 semi-final in just her second track appearance. Unlucky when finishing down the field in a flying debut contest, Moira really relished the move up in trip on this occasion and raced to an eight length victory over Blacksmith Ma in a scorching 31.14.
Putting the run in perspective, the other semi was won by Tomnaboley Fawn in 32.52. One suspects that betting will be very restricted on the final of this twelve dog stake.
Droopys Moira is a July ’07 daughter of Droopys Scholes and Westmead Joy while the dam is a member of that brilliant Larkhill Jo/ Mega Delight litter which included the likes of Westmead Joe, Westmead Aoifa, Westmead Delight and Westmead Olivia.
€57K PICK 7 CARRY-OVER
There will be a massive Pick 7 carry-over of almost 57,000 Euro to Harold’s Cross on Monday night. The pool was not won on Friday night when the first leg of the jackpot was declared a no-race due to a mechanical breakdown.
PARTY SCENES AT THE CROSS
Thursday, December 11th
There Christmas spirit has certainly taken a strong hold at Harold’s Cross this week with the high jinks going on late into the night.
The band “Vision” has been playing after racing on the Monday and Tuesday nights and there was great fun on both nights this week.
A crowd of more than 100 people stayed on after racing on Monday and on Tuesday night the crowd was even bigger! One had to be impressed with the standard of dancing and track chairman Alan Redmond arold’s Hdisplayed a lovely touch on the floor to suggest he might become a contender for “Strictly Dancing” in the near future.
The music will continue on the Monday and Tuesday nights over the two remaining weeks to Christmas and rumours abound that the Strictly Dancing scouts could be there on a spying mission!
FESTIVE FARE AT THE CROSS
Wednesday, December 10th
We have another super Friday this week at Harold’s Cross where the semi-finals of the Ted Hegarty Marathon and the second round of the Tote Gold Collar will provide a feast of top class open racing. But, backing up these events will be the semi-finals of the fpnconstruction.com Open Sprint.
Saturday will be another hectic night at the Cross where patrons can enjoy the finals of the N2 525, the A7 525 and the Gift Voucher Stake as well as three sets of semi-finals – all this in addition to the Inter Track fare from Shelbourne!
It will again be sweepstake action all the way on Monday and Tuesday next with the most valuable event being the Tommy Kerrigan Xmas Cracker A3 570 semi-finals.
Closing on Tuesday next, December 16th will be A1 570, A2 525, A4 570, A3 550, A6 525 and D2 750.
MOTOR NEURONE MEETING
Wednesday, December 10th
Friday will be a rather special night at Shelbourne, being a benefit meeting in aid of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. There will be a number of sporting personalities present and the card will include a number of special one-off races. There will be a special auction of a greyhound pup on the night. The pup is four months old and is a son of Droopys Maldini and Droopys Star (Knockeevan Star/ Droopys Graf). The pup will be reared to twelve months as part of the prize. Then on Saturday the semi-finals of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake will dominate the card.
A number of open competitions are currently being advertised to commence prior to Christmas. These include the 2,000 Euro Bernard Barry Bookmaker Open Bitch 525, a two run event that commences on Saturday, December 20th. This event closes on Tuesday as do the Christmas Parties Open 600 for 12 dogs, the 12 dog Christmas Cracker Open Puppy 525, the 12 dog Shelbourne Open 525 and the 24 dog Mini Open Unraced 525.
The closing date schedule for the Shelbourne events is:
Monday, December 15th – A6 525 (24 dog).
Tuesday, December 16th – Shelbourne Open 525 (12 dog); Bernard Barry Open Bitch (12 dog); Christmas Parties Open 600; Christmas Parties Open Puppy 525 (12 dog); Benefit Meetings Mini Open Unraced 525 (24 dog); Dobbins At The Park A1 575 (12 dog); Call Centre A1 525 (12 dog); A3 575 (12 dog); Call Centre A2 525 (12 dog); Race Sponsorship A3 525 (12 dog); Christmas Gift Pack D1 750 (12 dog) and the Race Sponsorship A2 525 (12 dog).
Friday, December 19th – Mini Open Unraced 525 (24 dog).
Saturday, December 27th – John J Casey Open 575 (36).
SHELBOURNE TRIALS
Wednesday, December 10th
There will be no more Tuesday morning official trials in 2008. The Tuesday morning trials will recommence on Tuesday, January 6th.
Evening official trials will be run as usual each night before racing but these are bookable only by contacting the racing office on 061 448047. No more that 15 dogs will be trialled each night.
THE CLONMEL FESTIVAL
Wednesday, December 10th
Sweepstake action continues at Clonmel this week with the first rounds of the two Drohans Bakery Stakes to be run on Thursday, while Sunday’s card is headlined by the semi-finals of the Mary Bridget Dunford Memorial A6 Stake.
As we mentioned last week, the build up to the Clonmel Festival in the first week of February will be getting underway immediately after Christmas. Entries for the featured 6,500 Euro to the winner IGB Open Unraced Stake will close on Sunday, December 28th and the first round heats will be run on January 1st and 4th. Only dogs qualified to run on or after November 27th will be eligible.
The other events being advertised to be run in conjunction with the IGB Open Unraced are:
· Clonmel Park Hotel A3 Tri-Distance (525, 550 & 575). Closes Jan. 8th.
· Market Kennels A1 Puppy 525. Closes Jan. 11th
· Charity Jack Open Bitch Stake. Closes Jan 11th.
· Irish Examiner Open 750. Closes Jan 12th
· John Hughes Memorial A2 575. Closes Jan 12th
· Simon Molloy Memorial A3 Novice 750. Closes Jan 15th
· Sporting Press A4 550. Closes Jan 15th.
· Further Stakes will be advertised next week.
A reminder that the first Sales of the New Year at Clonmel will be staged on Thursday, February 5th.
YOUGHAL EVENTS
Wednesday, December 10th
Youghal is one track that does plenty to promote six bend racing and the Cork track will be staging a one-off Novice 700 on Friday week, December 19th. It will for Grade A4 dogs or lower that have not raced further than 620 yards.
Commencing on Friday 19th is that great traditional Youghal competition, the Bob Daly Memorial A1 525. This event is for 24 dogs and boasts a winner’s prize of 1,600 Euro.
EXTRA NEWBRIDGE NIGHT
Wednesday, December 10th
Following the pattern of most of the developed stadia, Newbridge will be staging an extra meeting this week with racing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Daragh Fitzpatrick, a leading track bookmaker and local Councillor, has been a loyal supporter of his local track for a number of years and he is supporting a major meeting on Friday week, December 19th.
The semi-finals of five competitions will be run this Friday night and the finals will be run on the 19th. That card will also include 1,000 Euro to the winner opens over 325, 2007 Puppy 525, Bitch 525 and 550 as well as 750 Euro 845 yds and A1 600. Entries for these events close next Tuesday.
CURRAHEEN SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 10th
There was a time when Cork racegoers were virtually served up a diet of 525 yard racing with the odd sprint thrown in at the old Western Road venue. How times have changed!
This week’s advertisement from Curraheen features advertisements for four separate races or competitions and the shortest distance involved is 550 yards. This is really a great advance for the punters, though there are still many owners around who would not consider running dogs beyond 525 yards!
Closing on Thursday (11th) is the 12 dog Midleton A3 575 and a winner’s prize of 900 Euro. Then on Friday the 12 dog 1,000 Euro A4 575 will close. On Saturday it will be the turn of a one-off 400 Euro D5 750 to be run on Friday 19th. The other stake coming up is the 24 dog A2 550 Backgraders with a prize of 1,300 Euro and a closing date of next Tuesday.
By the way, the last trials before Christmas will be on Tuesday next, December 16th and after racing on Thursday 18th. Trials will resume on Tuesday, January 13th.
INTER TRACK CHALLENGE
Wednesday, December 10th
There is an impressive list of entries for the Inter-Track Challenger to be staged at Curraheen Park on Saturday night. There will be five races in all and one has to suspect that Tralee will have a major chance of taking the honours. Among the Tralee entries are the likes of Eye Eye Pickle, Kick For Touch and Green Heat.
The entries for the five races are:
Open 330 – Mickey matt (w), Dramatic Win, Kobelco, Compass Mikey, Professor Iggins, Tarbrook Henry, Praematurus.
Open 525 – Steeple Rd Bill, Eye Eye Pickle, Frances Fantasy, Everybody Saidso, Crown Charm, Skill To Rule, Bua Nevada, Shaneboy Nadal.
Open 550 – Kick For Touch, Poma Bocka, Chicken Supper, Blue Starship, Fun Seeker, Queens Rock, Razldazl Denys, Shaneboy Verdi.
Open 575 – Green Heat (m), Steeple Rd Rocco, Keoghs Lass, Rebel Brett, Compass Smash, Tarbrook Joey, Blue Monster.
Open 750 – Cruise Dancer (w), Ruby Blooz, Inslips Ideal, Compass Danny, Seventh Jet, Ashlawn Comet, Melodys Comet.
A GOOD SALES
Wednesday, December 10th
Reports from Thurles suggest that the final sales of 2008 went well with 106 dogs trialled and a large number were sold at the subsequent auction.
The Track Bookmakers Champion Bitch Stake came to a very successful conclusion with Hillcroft Josie defending her title most impressively. There was a fine turn-out on the night and the turnover in the betting ring was an impressive 57,000 Euro.
Meanwhile, the next big competition coming up at the Tipperary venue is the Goldmine Ramble @ Stud A2 525 which is for 48 dogs and will have a winner’s prize of 2,500 Euro. The first round will be run on Saturday, January 10th.
LIMERICK BUILDING WORK TO COMMENCE IN MARCH
Tuesday, December 9th
The Irish Greyhound Board announced on Tuesday that work on the new Limerick Stadium will commence in March 2009. It is expected that the project will generate some 250 jobs for the duration of the work, which is expected to be completed in September 2010.
Filling work has, of course, been in progress for a few months while there has been a substantial response to advertisements for main contractions and sub contractors to carry out the development work in what will be the largest construction project starting in the south-west in 2009.
The tender for the main construction contract will be published on January 16th, with the return of tender documents by February 28th and contractors on site during March.
Speaking at the site on Tuesday, IGB CEO Adrian Neilan said: “The original plans approved by the Irish Greyhound Board in 2005 have been updated to accommodate greater building and environmental efficiency. This stadium will be right on the cutting edge of sports and leisure building and will reflect the confidence generated without our sport in recent years. Limerick is a multi-million development, making it one of the biggest construction projects in the south-west next year. It will create 250 construction jobs up to its completion in September 2010, and then over 100 permanent jobs at the stadium which will be a long term top class addition to the sporting tradition of which Limerick is justifiably proud.
“There is no doubt that the next few years will be challenging, but the Limerick project is a cornerstone of our long term ambition for the sport of greyhound racing and its support of nearly 11,000 jobs in Ireland. The capital funds established during recent years are being invested wisely for the long term benefit of the sport and the industry. These will be supplemented in this instance by the savings generated by relocating our Heat Office from the City Centre to the new stadium”.
John J. Casey and Company has been appointed as project manager for the construction job. The company has already overseen the construction of Curraheen Park and Galway as well as the renovation of Shelbourne Park and Harold’s Cross in the past decade.
The existing IGB headquarters in Henry Street, Limerick will likely be put on the market in early 2009. Initial queries on the property are being handled by JC Gubbins of O’Connor, Murphy Gubbins.
GALWAY’S BIG NIGHT
Monday, December 8th
It promises to be a massive night at Galway on Sunday when there will be huge local support for the three Galway runners in the final of the Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket at the local stadium.
It is a special night in many ways. For instance, it will be the first time that a meeting from Galway has been televised live while it also features the second most valuable event in the Irish greyhound calendar. The local management have been promoting this occasion in a big way on the local scene and the presence of three Galway owned finalists make this a meeting of huge significance in the west.
Ollie Hester, the Galway RM, says: “We are promoting this as a big family night and there will be all sorts of attractions for the kids. The all-in family ticket will cost just 15 Euro and that is huge value. We have also been running a competition in conjunction with the local schools and the winning school will be present on the night. There will be entertainment afterwards and we have choirs and a band down here. It should be a really great night”.
Not alone will it be a big night, it also promises to be a huge weekend in Galway. On Friday night the Connacht versus Rovigo rugby match will be followed by a benefit meeting in aid of Annaghdown GAA Club.
Incidentally, racing on Sunday gets underway at 7 p.m.