FRIDAY - 2/01/2009
Tote Gold Collar
DRUM CAN LEAD ALL THE WAY
The Tote Gold Collar final at Harold’s Cross on Friday night gets the New Year off to a flying start and all the indications are that it will be a mighty battle for the winner’s prize of 12,500 Euro.
It is as open a final as one could imagine and even nominating the starting price favourite would be quite a task. There is sure to be considerable support for Ray Melia’s early paced performer Ballintine Drum and if he can make one of his fast starts, then he will take the world of beating.
Francie Murray has two finalists, Call Late in the red jacket and Droopys Maestro in stripes. Both are capable of big runs and the former was the fastest in the semis.
Paul Carroll’s Rosminion is likely to contest the early lead and if he manages to lead around the bend, then he will make a bold bid for honours. Mary O’Callaghan’s Have Some Cop doesn’t know how to run a bad one and will have plenty of support. This leaves us with Daleys Buzz, representing leading studkeeper Michael Dunne and trainer Paul Hennessy. He has the ability to win this one and is probably the bet each way value in the race.
It’s an open affair and, while Ballintine Drum looks the logical selection, perhaps Daleys Buzz is the value option.
Bob Daly Memorial
IT COULD BE SWEET AS HONEY
Stephen Wadsworth enjoyed a remarkable 2008 with a record number of winners for an owner and he can get the New Year off to the best possible start with Compass Honey a leading contender in the final of the Bob Daly Memorial at Youghal on Friday.
Compass Honey has been a busy bee and she has contested a Waterford open since winning her semi-final here from Knocknalyre Jim.
Cases can be made for Denis Fitzgerald’s Clearwater Jack, Pat O’Connor’s Hawthorn Expert and John Linehan’s Stone Rig Rascal but Compass Honey has the ability to be up with the pace throughout and proving too strong in the end.
SATURDAY - 3/01/2009
John J Casey Open 575
ASTON CAN STORM HOME
Shelbourne Aston returns to the scene of his great Irish Derby victory on Saturday when he contests the first round of the John J Casey Open 575 and his presence should guarantee a great start to the New Year at headquarters.
He commences his bid in Heat 7 and should get the better of the highly consistent Tyrur Laurel to set up a big run through this opening feature of the year.
Headleys Bridge was another big player in the Derby final and he should be ideally suited by the 575 trip as he returns to action in Heat 8. Droopys Lee, Farloe Tucker and Kilkenny Lonjack can contribute to a great contest but Headleys has the power and class to move on in style.
Compass Smash likes this 575 trip and he can establish an early advantage in Heat 9 and go on to victory from Swinford Mylo and Imaal Master.
Larry Dunne’s Kildallon Maid will take a lot of beating in Heat 1. Recent National Puppy Stake winner Tip And Tin can show the way in Heat 3 from Springmount Loco while Blackstone Gene has the ability to produce a big run in Heat 4.
Elsewhere …..
Go The Blonde
Oranmore Blonde looks a hot prospect in the final of the Instant Waste Disposal A2 Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday.
Trained by Bill O’Hare for Michael Grealish, Oranmore Blonde is a very lightly raced three year old but is a brilliant performer on her night. She can prove too strong for Concur and Bananas.
There are a couple of finals down for decision at Dundalk with the Christmas Carol A2 525 being the most valuable. Aaron Farrell’s Snowdrop Girl was the fastest in the semis but Brendan Magee’s Fox River might come out best on this occasion from a very favourable trap two draw. The other final on the card is the Christmas Present S2 400 and here Sean Behan’s Shuttlefly looks the obvious selection. She dominated her final when beating Adraville Master in 21.46 and can repeat the
SATURDAY – 27/12/2008
Droopys Stud Munster Oaks
MINNIES CAN BE JUST LOVELY
It should be a true festive occasion at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night where the final of the Droopys Stud Munster Oaks tops a high class programme which is sponsored by the Dunphy brothers from the famed Portlaw kennels.
The Oaks final is very open with cases to be made for all six finalists. However, with five inside seeds, the middle seeded Minnies Alainn has a smashing draw in six. She has been hugely impressive on her way to the final and the Nicola Downes owned daughter of Head Bound can make full use of an ideal draw.
Tina Cooke’s Lughill Jewel is drawn to run a big race in one and will be dong her best work at the business end. Alongside her in two is Louise Scally’s Cabra Tiny and this daughter of Big Daddy Cool and Pams Vienna has a very good strike rate.
Larry O’Shea’s Blasket Music is the only “Droopy” in the line-up, being a daughter of Droopys Kewell, and she has the early pace to make a bold bid. On her outside in four is Mairead McGrath’s Clash Harmony, the only local runner in the line-up and another with a good strike rate.
In five is Des Whyte’s Oran Crystal and she has been hugely consistent in this competition. Five is a bit far out for her liking but she can be trusted to run a big race. However, Minnies Alainn has to be a strong fancy to collect the final big prize of 2008.
Bernard Barry Gala Night
LARRY’S MAID CAN COLLECT
The solitary meeting in Dublin this weekend will be at Shelbourne on Saturday and it promises to be a real spectacular with the twelve race card. All races are sweepstake finals, eight of them sponsored by Bernard Barry, and the action will commence at 7.40 p.m.
For me the big race has to be the final of the Barry Open Bitch 525 and the line-up would do justice to the final of the Irish Oaks itself. Sure to go off favourite is Larry Dunne’s Kildallon Maid and she looks the likely winner, though she must do just about everything right.
Last week Shingaun Stan set her usual strong gallop but Kildallon collared her on the third bend before going on to win by two lengths. It could be a similar situation this time, though one also has to consider the likes of Laytown Lady and Borna Del.
There should also be a very interesting battle in the final of the Barry Open 600 where Forest Buster and Titan Tyrone should cut out the running. Neither is the strongest stayer and the likes of Ballyard Timmy could catch them in the closing stages.
SATURDAY – 20/12/2008
Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake
LEE MAKES MOST APPEAL
County Meath trainer Ian Reilly has enjoyed quite a deal of success with his pups in recent years, particularly in the Puppy Derby. The Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake has eluded him to date but that could all be rectified by Droopys Lee at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
Unfortunately the final looks like being a five-runner contest with Soviet Maldini already notified as a non runner due to a virus. It is a great pity as Eamonn Cronin’s dog would have been one of the favourites and was sure to be involved all the way.
The selection is Droopys Lee, a son of Westmead Hawk and Droopys Maddy owned by Larry O’Rourke and formerly raced in the UK. He has settled in really well in the Reilly kennels and has been particularly impressive in this competition. He’s a dog that goes up well but really powers home from the third bend.
Ja Mann, trained by Owen McKenna for The Man Syndicate, simply loves the inside and must be strongly considered in the red jacket. He goes up well and motors the back.
A possible leader is Cape Time, another son of Westmead Hawk trained by Hugh McKendry for Alan Silvester. He can fly from trap three and will be very much involved in the early battle.
Alongside him in four is Banjo, a son of Droopys Maldini jointly owned by Pat Sarsfield and Luke Byrne. Here’s another dog with real early gears and he won’t make things easy for the dogs on his inside.
With trap five vacant, Tip And Tin could get a lovely run up the outside. Jointly owned by Peggy Barrett and Joe Carey, Tip And Tin is really running this track excellently and he was a most unlucky loser last week. The son of Crash can go up well and is a strong stayer. He looks sure to play a prominent role.
However, in the final analysis, Droopys Lee is the choice to lead them home and Tip AndTin can come through to complete the forecast.
Droopys Stud Munster Oaks
MINNIES GO HALAINN
After posting the fastest time of the first round, Minnies Alainn was unlucky in defeat in last week’s second stage of the Droopys Stud Munster Oaks at Waterford. However she can resume winning ways in a hot semi-final at Kilcohan Park on Saturday.
The Nicola Downes owned daughter of Head Bound and Minnies Sparkler is well housed on the inside but will need a smart start to avoid problems on the bend. Strong cases can be made for all the runners in this contest but Woodhill Spark and Blasket Music could accompany the selection to next week’s final.
The lightly raced Shine And Rise could overcome her lack of experience to win the second heat. Oran Crystal and Roxholme Sue had a good battle last week and should be involved again but Michael Bagge’s Shine And Rise looks a bitch with a lot of potential and she can come up trumps.
Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby
FERMOYLE LOOKS THE PART
There’s a prize of 10,000 Euro on offer in the final of the Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby at Tralee on Saturday and the mantle of favouritism is likely to rest on the Cahirciveen runner Fermoyle Honcho.
Owned by John Sugrue, Fermoyle Honcho was very impressive last week when winning his semi in 28.51 and if he is to win tonight he will again need to fly from traps.
Allmightyjack totally missed the start from one last week and occupies the same trap this time. He is capable of flying out and it would be very dangerous to rule him out of calculations.
Attykitt Admiral ran a big race behind Fermoyle Honcho in the semi while fast starting Everybody Saidno is another that is well capable of a good run.
Ballymac Bull will have plenty of local support but a six draw is hardly ideal for this smart inside runner. Last week he failed by a head to Compass Smash and that one is always capable of flying out and causing upsets! A fine race is in prospect but Fermoyle Honcho gets the nod ahead of Allmightyjack.
The card also includes the final of the Dave Cremin & Greyhound & Petworld 525 and Ardineer Rebel is entitled to the vote on the strength of last week’s 28.99 effort.
FRIDAY -19/12/2008
A Big Night At The Cross
WINNER CAN DEFY HIPPY IN HEGARTY FINAL
The atmosphere will be electric at Harold’s Cross on Friday night where the final of the Ted Hegarty Marathon tops the bill but is backed up by the semi-finals of the Tote Gold Collar, the final of the www.fpnconstruction Open Sprint and of course that massive Pick 7 carry-over.
The vast majority of punters will be making Flying Winner their banker for the Pick 7 and really it is difficult to argue with that option. She has been very impressive thus far but is very unlikely to have things as easy as last week when she came home fifteen lengths clear of Has Wings.
This time she has Hello Hippy to contend with and it is quite possible that Paul Hennessy’s bitch will dash into the lead with about a circuit to go. The question then will concern how close is Flying Winner. This Chris Lund trained stayer seems to know where the line is and there are few that can live with her at the business end of these eight bend contests.
Hello Hippy is the one most likely to give her a battle but Has Wings is a strong stayer while Shakira Live was fourth in last year’s final. Saving Jamie and Ashwood Dancer will have their followers but Flying Winner is a confident choice to win from Hello Hippy.
TOTE GOLD COLLAR
The semi-finals of the Tote Gold Collar will be hotly contested events and one wonders will we have a continuation of the shocks that have been thrown up in the preliminary rounds.
The Davy Reynolds trained Ball Of Twine has been the saviour for punters in the competition, justifying favouritism in each round. Ball Of Twine will be a popular choice in the first semi and if she can make one of her slick starts then she can lead all the way. Droopys Maestro is an obvious danger in the stripes.
The second heat looks the most open race of the night and victory can go to one of the two Hennessy runners. But will it be Lleytons Dote or Daleys Buzz? Take your pick.
The final of the open sprint can go to the Seamus Graham trained Pennylane Flash but he must make one of his better starts if he is to race to victory in the red jacket.
FRIDAY – 12/12/2008
Ted Hegarty Marathon
FLYING CAN WIN AGAIN
Super UK stayer Flying Winner has dominated all the chat concerning the Ted Hegarty Marathon thus far but she could be put to the pin of her collar in an intriguing third heat at Harold’s Cross this evening.
The Chris Lund trained Flying Winner pounced late when beating Ferdia Bound last week in a new track record time and she will be fancied to repeat the form this time. But also in this evening’s field are the likely pair of Has Wings and Rough Quest and these are also very formidable stayers. It could be close but Flying Winner has to be fancied to win again.
We put forward Navan Blue as the banker of the night in the second semi-final. This lady was hugely impressive last week and Sean Devlin’s charge can confirm her superiority over the likes of Shakira Live and Ashwood Dancer.
Hello Hippy’s last week was a little disappointing but Paul Hennessy’s bitch was still a spot faster than UK raider Ardagh Charm. I would expect a better run from Hello Hippy this time but she will have her work cut out to get the better of the Peter Cronin trained Saving Jamie.
Tote Gold Colllar
The Harold’s Cross card also includes the second round heats of the Tote Gold Collar and the best bet in this competition could be the Liam O’Rourke trained Ballymac Bondi in the opening heat. Impressive last week, he has a reasonable task this time and is nominated to lead home from Navajo Hailpin.
Laytown Lady ran a blinder against Ballymac Bondi last week and looks the part in Heat 3, while Accordello can recoup some of last week’s losses by winning the final heat.
Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby
GO JACK AGAIN
Allmightyjack justified our confidence when winning his heat last week in the Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby and he can most of his inside draw to take the opening semi-final at the Kingdom Stadium on Friday.
Trained by James Roche for Larry O’Shea, Allmightyjack won the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup earlier in the season and his early pace can be the deciding factor from this draw. This is a very hot contest and the run to the bend will be decisive. There will be big local support for Ballymac Bull but the draw can swing this one in Allmightyjack’s favour.
The second heat is another formidable affair and, while Attykitt Admiral looks drawn to run a big race, the vote goes to Chris Houlihan’s Cashen Zig from the outside box. This fellow doesn’t know how to run a bad race and could be fair value in this contest.
SATURDAY – 13/12/2008
Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake
GO THE SOVIET ROUTE
The Soviet siblings completed a smashing double in last week’s quarter finals and they can repeat the performance in the semi-finals at Shelbourne on Saturday.
Soviet Bugatti is the one to beat in the opening heat and should be well suited by a trap two draw. It should be quite a race to the bend with Banjo, Cape Time and Soviet Bugatti likely to be very much involved.
Bugatti really moves up a gear on the opening bends and he can prove too strong down the back. Expect late bids from Tip And Tin, Mustang Bolt and Droopys Pio but Soviet Bugatti can make it a three from four career record.
Eamonn Cronin will then be represented by Soviet Maldini in the second heat and this is a really strong contest. Strong cases can be made for all the runners here. Mustang Mission in one is a powerful finisher while Droopys Lee, in two, has been mighty impressive in all outings here. Ja Mann, wearing the while jacket, has pace to burn while River Billy, in four, created a big impression last week and has a really huge run in him. Then there is Lifes Funny in five, a classy performer bred on classic lines.
This can go anyway but Soviet Maldini is very well housed in six and looks set to get the clearest run on the outside.
A Big Cork Night
PALMETTO LOOKS HOT
There is a high class programme at Curraheen Park on Saturday, including the final of the Tinys Bud pen 550 and the five races in the Greyhound & Petworld Inter Track Challenge.
The Tinys Bud has developed into the big end of year feature at the Cork track and the 8,000 Euro prize will be fiercely contested. Denis Fitzgerald’s Palmetto Dunes was marginally fastest in the semis and a repeat of his slick 4.59secs split would see him take a lot of beating in the final.
The other semi was won by the Graham Holland trained Carib King and he is well capable of a similar effort this time. One suspects that John Kiely’s Callums Lad will put in a big run from his trap four slot while Agnes Hallissey’s Decent Prospect is a bitch with real prospects also. The trap might decide it in favour of Palmetto Dunes.
The Greyhound & Petworld Inter Track Inter Track races look very competitive but Midleton based Stephen Wadsworth could have a profitable evening. His Compass Mikey has decent prospects in the sprint but Compass Danny looks to have a winning opportunity in the 750.
Liam Dowling’s Green Heat could be the night’s banker in the 575 and Mossie O’Connor’s Kick For Touch makes big appeal in the 550.
Droopys Stud Munster Oaks
MINNIES CAN STAR AGAIN
The first round of the Droopys Stud Munster Oaks last weekend produced some lively fare and we can anticipate some really hot racing in Saturday’s second round at Kilcohan Park. The last of the four heats could well be the race of the night with a high class field of bitches in opposition.
The Nicola Downes owned Minnies Alainn was the star of the first round when an easy winner in 28.63 and a trap six draw will do her no harm whatever. Shane Murphy’s Wilcos Sonia also impressed in taking her heat while Lughill Jewell, Cooraclare Rose, Compass Honey and Blasket Music will all have their followers. Perhaps Minnies can lead the way again.
Michael Bagge’s Shine And Rise is unbeaten in two career runs and could be a real star in the making. She’ll take beating in the opening heat where Kathryns Fern looks the obvious threat.
Michael Delahunty’s Zip Fastener is a real model of consistency and will take beating in Heat 2 where Roxholme Sue and Kingsmill Abu will have strong support. That leaves us with Heat 3 where we’ll put forward Michael Gleeson’s Woodhill Spark as a real value proposition.
SUNDAY -14/12/2008
Galway’s Biggest Night
VETERAN LEE IS THE ONE TO BEAT
There are certain “not to miss” occasions in any calendar year but next Sunday’s meeting at the splendidly appointed Galway Greyhound Stadium is definitely one of those. The final of the Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket promises to be a race to savour and the presence of three home runners lends that extra special appeal.
With Denis O’Connell represented by Mardocs O Shea and P.J. Fahy having both Tyrur Laurel and Tyrur Lee in the line-up, it means that half the field is supplied by the two biggest sponsors of greyhound racing at the venue.
The three dogs top most betting lists and a local success looks very much on the cards. The favourite in all lists is Fahy’s veteran performer Tyrur Lee, a dog that was only put into the competition at the last minute to “fill the numbers”. In his fifth year, he is more suited by one-off competitions at this stage but he has prospered in the four runs thus far and is now just one step away from what would be a quite remarkable victory.
An inside runner right through his career, he brushed aside a trap four draw last Saturday to win in highly impressive fashion. In the previous round he also shrugged off a trap six draw to win in a flying 31.12. This lessens the negative factor imposed by a trap six draw in the final.
Fahy’s second finalist is the hugely consistent Tyrur Laurel, a dog that clearly deserves a major success after going so close in so many majors. He is now running as an inside seed but the balance of his form suggests that he might be more suited to a wider berth than the two box he will occupy next Sunday.
The nightmare scenario for Fahy would be for both dogs to clash on the run up but the evidence of this competition to date suggests that Tyrur Lee will speed clear in the early yards and clear that vital opening bend. If he does, he wins!
But where do we put Mardocs O Shea? There are few more promising young dogs in training as he showed when winning the Texacloth Puppy Derby at Newbridge and he has reached this final with a series of top class performances. Trained by Frances O’Donnell, he is going to take an awful lot of beating and will certainly be on hand to take advantage of any possible clash between the Tyrurs.
Brian McCann also has a very strong candidate in Kerrydale Celt and he must rate as the strongest finisher in the competition. He was storming home behind Mardocs O Shea last week and is not likely to be inconvenienced by a trap five draw.
In one is Full Bloom, a dog that has thrived since returning from the UK to join Graham Holland. He has picked up a few nice prizes and is another powerful finisher. That leaves us with the Pat Buckley trained Slick Spiral, a dog owned by Slip The Lark’s owner Keith Allsop. He had actually collected a nice prize at Galway when, ironically, winning the Tyrur Lee A4 Stake when formerly known as Cooldown Jasper. It wouldn’t be the biggest shock of all time if he managed to win this stake but he does fact a pretty formidable task.
All in all, it promises to be a spectacular contest and the balance of the form suggests that Tyrur Lee can lead home Mardocs O Shea in an all Galway finish.
LIVE ON TV
The Galway meeting on Sunday commences at 7 p.m. and will be covered live on Setanta Sports TV, the programme running between 8.30 and 10 p.m. The weigh-in will be between 6 and 6.30 p.m.
FRIDAY – 5/12/2008
Harold’s Cross Spectacular
FLYING LOOKS A SURE WINNER
One could hardly anticipate a better programme of racing than that on offer to patrons at Harold’s Cross on Friday night. Five heats of the Ted Hegarty Marathon over the 1,010 yard trip and five heats of the Tote Gold Collar over 550 yards will provide thrills galore from start to finish.
The crowd will get there early as Flying Winner is scheduled to run in the second race which happens to be Heat 2 of the Hegarty Marathon. Chris Lund’s bitch is the darling of the British racegoers and she is returning to the scene of her first racing appearances. If she is beaten it will be little short of a sensation.
Expect Ferdia Bound and Saving Jamie to give Flying Winner plenty to do but the astonishing staying power of Flying Winner can carry her to victory – and perhaps a new record also.
The opening race of the night could be the best of the session with Shakira Live, Zacharius Ted, Navan Blue and Ashwood Dancer all sure to be involved at some stage.
Top Irish hope in the Marathon could be Hello Hippy and Paul Hennessy’s bitch will make her bow in Heat 3 where Catania could be the main threat.
Ardagh Charm is a UK raider in Heat 4 with good prospects but the home trained Rockmount Pride, Group Skater and Knockduff Ace will have their supporters. In the final heat Rough Quest must be a strong fancy, though the record breaking pair Forest Heidi and Flandy must be respected.
Irish Derby finalist Machu Picchu will be fancied in the opening heat of the Tote Gold Collar but Ballymac Bondi is a real HX specialist and will love this trip.
There should be an intriguing clash between Cesarewitch winner Forest Baby and Puppy Derby finalist Accordello in Heat 4 while in the concluding heat the shock Lifford winner Target Kewell will take all the beating.
Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby
JACK ALL SET
Already a classic winner, Larry O’Shea’s Allmightyjack can prove banker material when the second round of the Greyhound & Petworld Kingdom Derby is run at Tralee on Friday.
The Sprint Cup hero showed his liking for the Tralee circuit when beating Bellmore Ranger by a length in the opening round and his early pace can prove crucial again in the opening heat. There are major dangers in the form of Everybody Saidno and former UK racer Kilkenny Lonjack but Allmightyjack should have their measure this time.
Jerry Murray’s Evons Murralli has quite a record around Tralee and he can overcome a dodgy trap six draw to lead home Compass Danny and Ballymac Bull in the second heat. Ann Wade’s Snowy Hill and Owen McKenna’s Bellmore Ranger could battle it out in Heat 3 while the concluding heat is a real puzzler and the draw could swing it for College Finsceal.
SATURDAY – 6/12/2008
Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket
O SHEA LOOKS GOOD
The shocks have come thick and fast in the Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket at Galway but as we approach the semi-finals on Saturday night the indications are that sponsor Denis O’Connell has an outstanding chance of winning his own prize.
O’Connell and son Cian are the joint owners of Mardocs O Shea, an outstanding young prospect trained by Francis O’Donnell and approaching the semis with an unbeaten record in the competition. With just twelve dogs in contention Mardocs O Shea is the 10-3 favourite to capture the top prize of 35,000 Euro and he is going to take a lot of stopping.
The son of Go Wild Teddy and Hoffmans Ticks is just over two years old and goes in to the final with a record of seven wins from fifteen outings and an unbeaten record in this classic. He is ideally suited by the 575 yards distance and is getting stronger with each outing over this trip.
In the first semi on Saturday he has Tyrur Laurel as a major rival and, while Laurel may be stretched by this trip, he has the early gears to pose a major hurdle to the favourite. The other big fancy in the opening heat is the Brian McCann trained Kerrydale Celt but on recent form one must fancy Mardocs O Shea to lead the way home and with Tyrur Laurel and Kerrydale Celt to also make the decider on Sunday week.
LEE THE ONE
They would like nothing better in Galway than for a local to claim their biggest prize and in P.J. Fahy they have another very strong bow to their string. Fahy not alone owns the aforementioned Tyrur Laurel but also Tyrur Lee and this remarkable greyhound has to be treated with the utmost of respect.
As a June ’04 whelp, Tyrur Lee is in his fifth year but is running as well as any stage in a career that has thus far yielded 33 race victories. Incredible as it may seem, Tyrur Lee looks stronger than at any stage of his career and he is a real Galway specialist.
Lee is unbeaten with remarkably consistent times of 31.23, 31.21 and last week’s flying 31.12 and he will need a run of similar stature to lead them home in this heat. It is clearly the hottest of the two semis and true cases can be made for the other five runners.
The draw suggests that Droopys Teabag and Shaneboy Sophia may be the major dangers but the vote goes to Tyrur Lee to maintain P.J. Fahy’s dream of success in his big local event.
Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake
MALDINI CAN BOUNCE BACK
Despite his second round defeat by Droopys Lee, Eamonn Cronin’s Soviet Maldini remains the outright favourite to win the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake and he can bounce back to winning ways in the third of the quarter finals at Shelbourne on Saturday night.
The son of Droopys Maldini and Soviet Georgia must have a massive chance of leading the field into the back straight and he would then take the world of beating. Dilton Swift is sure to pose a major threat early but Droopys Pio is the one likely to provide the main threat at the business end. The latter really impressed with his big finish last week and has big prospects.
Cronin also has a big say in the final qualifier with Maldini’s litter brother Soviet Bugatti. Unraced before this competition commenced, Bugatti looked a real prospect last week but faces a really tough task against the likes of Romance Alsation, Cape Time and the impressive Skywalker Queen in the final heat.
Ian Reilly’s Droopys Lee got away smartly last week and will need to repeat that style of racing if he is to overcome the likes of River Billy in the opening heat while Owen McKenna’s Ja Mann is the one to beat in Heat 2.
Tinys Bud Open 550
GO WITH THE LAD
John Kiely has an enviable record around Curraheen Park and his Callums Lad looks a real prospect in the opening semi-final of the Tinys Bud Open 550 on Saturday.
One of the big stars of the Cashmans Laurels at the same track, Callums Lad has retained his form most impressively and was an impressive winner in 29.76 in the first round two weeks back. Trap one will hold no fears and he can lead all the way in a race where Saint Luke could be the main threat.
Blackstone Gene hasn’t achieved what he has promised but he must still be respected in the second semi where he has a trap five draw. It is a tough contest but Jeffys Crystal can emerge as the main danger.
Droopys Stud Munster Oaks
CHILLI BY NATURE
Few greyhounds are more appropriately named in terms of current weather conditions than the Bryan Davies owned Almost Chilli in Heat 6 of the Droopys Stud Munster Oaks at Kilcohan Park on Saturday. She can also prove one of the most popular.
Winner of the Consolation Masters on her last outing, Almost Chilli can g again prove too strong for these rivals.
Mick O’Donovan’s Another Issue has been very lightly raced in recent times but trial runs suggest that she can resume winning ways in Heat 2, where Zip Fastener can follow her home.
It is difficult to look past Roxholme Sue in Heat 3 while Lady Glenard could be another for Mick O’Donovan in Heat 4.
SUNDAY – 7/12/2008
Track Bookmakers Champion Bitch Final
JOSIE CAN DO THE DOUBLE
There were some tremendous scenes following the victory of Paddy Corrigan’s Hillcroft Josie in last year’s Track Bookmakers Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles. Hopes will be high that the John McGee trained bitch can successfully defend her title on Saturday night.
This is a star studded programme with a host of sweepstake finals and all sorts of attractions on offer to punters. But the final will be the major attraction and strong cases can be made for most of the runners.
In one is the Marcella Campbell trained Home Belle, a very strong finisher but with a little to find on the main contenders. Then in two is Hillcroft Josie, back in top form and a very strong runner.
Sadie Vieri is close on form to the best of them but has a difficult draw between Hillcroft Josie and Danmar Pudsy. The latter won the Newbridge Oaks for Danny Potter prior to the start of this competition and she is unbeaten at Thurles in this stake. She has a major say.
Then in five is Joe Horan’s Maireads Fantasy and on her best she can match any of them, while in six is Colm Dervan’s Semolina. She has done nothing wrong but has yet to win in the stake.
I’ll go with Hillcroft Josie to see off Danmar Pudsy but don’t rule out the chance of the bookmakers getting all their sponsorship money back!
Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake
EXPRESS AND MALDINI CLASH
Few would have expected Fawn Express to post the fastest opening round time in the National Puppy Stake, but the son of Crash is clearly a greyhound with a big future and he will put his unbeaten record on the line in the opening heat of the second round.
The Larry Mason trained fawn will face his toughest test yet however as he takes on outright favourite Soviet Maldini. The latter did little wrong in his opening round assignment when posting 28.67, but he looks likely to go faster in the coming weeks. It makes for an intriguing clash, but extra experience may work in favour of Munster Puppy Cup winner Soviet Maldini.
Pennys Oberon was another to raise a few eyebrows in the opening round after scorching clear on Thursday last to record 28.57. If repeating that level of form he would take some stopping in the final heat where a rails berth seems his biggest hurdle.
The Ian Reilly trained youngster should, in theory, come on for his latest run and that is enough to make all his rivals worry. For the second week running Cape Time could emerge as the main threat to Pennys.
Owen McKenna has already won this stake on two previous occasions and he looks likely to have big say in this year’s outcome with the hugely promising and unbeaten Faypoint Man. He too made quite an impression in the opening round when recording 28.58 and he can again take some stopping in Heat 6 where his rivals include Romance Alsation, Lifes Burble and Eye Eye Pickle.
Another McKenna inmate famncied to go far in the stake is Ja Mann and while he was out of luck in the opening round, he could return to winning ways in Heat 3 where a draw in the blue jacket should allow him to shine.
For the second week running the hugely promising Razldazl Em faces a very tough task in Heat 4. Dilton Swift, River Billy and Droopys Pio can all go up strongly and if Razldazl Em is to confirm his standing as one of the leading fancies for outright glory, he will need to start trapping better.
NATIONAL PUPPY STAKE DRAW:
Heat 1: 1 Auto Bruiser; 2 Marked Urgent; 3 Droopys Lee; 4 Kilhedge Queen (w); 5 Fawn Express (w); 6 Soviet Maldini (w)
Heat 2: 1 Bright Hero; 2 Inny Blue; 3 Banjo (m); 4 Kiltagh Lad (m); 5 Soviet Bugatti (m); 6 Lifes Funny (m)
Heat 3: 1 Mustang Mission; 2 Ja Mann; 3 Blue Starship; 4 Seamore Sam; 5 Groovy Captain (m); 6 Mardocs Foster (w)
Heat 4: 1 Call Harry Hunt; 2 Pau; 3 Dilton Swift; 4 River Billy (m); 5 Razldazl Em (m); 6 Droopys Pio (m)
Heat 5: 1 Fane Slasher; 2 Tyrur Louis; 3 Selecta Vision (m); 4 Ballymac Banjo (m); 5 Skywalker Queen (w); Tip And Tin (w)
Heat 6: 1 Lifes Burble; 2 Faypoint Man; 3 Springwell Dot; 4 Romance Alsation; 5 Oran Empire; 6 Eye Eye Pickle
Heat 7: 1 Fane Basher; 2 Faypoint Lad; 3 Springwell Sindy; 4 Bright Side; 5 Lochbo Boss; 6 Melted Advice (w)
Heat 8: 1 Pennys Oberon; 2 Cape Time; 3 Thorn Brae Lee (m); 4 Iveseenenough (m); 5 Lord Karl (m); 6 Mustang Bolt (w)
Galway - Mardocs Holdings Golden Jacket
TURBO GIVEN PLUM DRAW
Broadacres Turbo looks likely to justify his billing as hot favourite to win the Mardocs Holdings Golden jacket at Galway on Saturday night from a perfect draw in the blue jacket in Heat 3. With slow starters on either side, Broadacres Turbo should have little difficulty in establishing an early lead and while Mardocs O Shea is a worthy adversary, Broadacres Turbo is near impossible to reel in once leading.
Royal Treason remains one of the leading hopes for outright glory despite finishing only fourth in the second round and he can find top form to win the opening heat. If turning close, he could have too much ammunition for the possible leader Droopys Teabag in the latter stages.
Heat 2 is a cracking contest with many holding outstanding claims. Mardocs Heinze has been in wonderful form for competition sponsor, Denis O’Connell and he could again go close, although Full Bloom and Tyrur Laurel could have something to say about it.
The remarkable veteran Tyrur Lee has been in wonderful form, but his reward has been a less than favourable draw in the stripes in the final heat. If he is to continue his winning streak he will need to flash from boxes.
GOLDEN JACKET DRAW:
Heat 1: 1 Zontes Footstep; 2 Toledo James; 3 Droopys Teabag; 4 Royal Treason (m); 5 Imaal Master; 6 Nawhobberthadda (w)
Heat 2: 1 Mardocs Heinze; 2 Full Bloom; 3 Tyrur Laurel; 4 Ask Amy; 5 Kerrydale Celt; 6 The Other Sonic (w)
Heat 3: 1 Oakleaf Tom; 2 Broadacres Turbo; 3 Shaneboy Sophia; 4 Lemon Zamora; 5 Mardocs O Shea; 6 The Other Achill (w)
Heat 4: 1 Slick Spiral; 2 Burnpark Duke; 3 Mardocs Nani; 4 Skywalker Dream; 5 Elouisa; 6 Tyrur Lee
CHAMPION BITCH STAKE DRAW:
Heat 1: 1 Danmar Pudsy; 2 Lassa Experience; 3 Woodhill Spark; 4 Lemon Razza; 5 Strangford Katie; 6 Borna Del (w)
Heat 2: 1 Wilcos Sonia; 2 Sadie Vieri; 3 Yagga Wagga; 4 Maireads Fantasy (m); 5 Lughill Jewel (m); 6 Her Eyesare Blue (w)
Heat 3: 1 Hillcroft Josie; 2 Plan; 3 Cruise Code; 4 Light Shift; 5 Rising Smoke; 6 Semolina (m)
Saturday – November 15th
SATURDAY
Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket
BIG TWO CAN DOMINATE
There will be huge expectations at Galway on Saturday when the first round of the 2008 Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket gets underway. Many will expect Si Senor’s exceptional record of 30.97 for the 575 yards to come under threat from Shelbourne Aston and College Causeway over the course of the next four weeks.
But qualification will be the main target with both greyhounds as they enter the first round. Shelbourne Aston has run well in his two trials around the track in recent weeks and he looks a hot order for Heat 9 where his opponents include Pat Buckley’s Slick Spiral (ex Cooldown Jasper) and The Other Sonic.
College Causeway will make his bow in Heat 10 and, despite a prior look at the track, he should have too much power for rivals such as Kerrydale Bhoy and Nawhobberthadda.
English St Leger finalist Droopys Arsene will need to be on his toes to overcome that great veteran Tyrur Lee in Heat 2 while Royal Treason looks the one to beat in Heat 3.
Titan Tyrone will make a bold bid in Heat 4 but Mardocs Heinze and Shaneboy Sophia are formidable rivals. Heat 5 is a tough one with Grand National winner Distant Legend opposed by Kerrydale Celt, Mardocs Maldini, Fastflame and Swinford Mylo.
Despite an awkward draw, Full Bloom will take beating in Heat 6 but Heat 7 could be one of the epics of the night with Target Kewell, Mardocs O Shea and Lemon Zamora in opposition.
Tyrur’s Laurel’s stamina will be put to the ultimate test in Heat 8 where Broadacres Turbo and Oakleaf Tom will have their supporters.
Thurles Champion Bitch Stake
PUDSY’S QUICK RETURN
Less than a week after her shock 10-1 success in the final of the Newbridge Oaks final, Danmar Pudsy will commence her bid for the Bookmakers Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles on Saturday.
Danny Potter’s bitch must be fancied to go in again in Heat 8 but it is a tough heat with the likes of Home Belle, Lughill Jewel and Her Eyesare Blue in opposition.
Last year’s winner Hillcroft Josie should take the opening heat while Wilcos Sonia and Woodhill Spark could battle it out in Heat 2. Michael Dwan’s Borna Del will take all the beating in Heat 3 and could go a long way in the competition.
There are a few likely contenders in Heat 4, such as Light Shift, Pencray Lass, Hondo On Air and Maireads Fantasy while Plan looks the one to beat in Heat 5.
Zip Fastener ran up the Newbridge Oaks and also this competition last year and she will take beating in Heat 7. Graigues Toss could be the one in Heat 9.
Shelbourne Fare
HE CAN DAZZLE EM
There will be a couple of finals at Shelbourne on Saturday but the real interest on the night will centre on the performances of a number of contenders for the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake which commences next week.
One of particular interest will be Razldazl Em in an open 525. It is the toughest test yet for the Liam Marks owned speedster but he has the ability to extend his career record to three from three.
Owen McKenna’s Ja Mann is another bound for the Comerford and a trap one draw in the ninth race should see him open his Shelbourne account.