THE Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby is generally acknowledged as the greatest greyhound race in the world and its status is to receive a major boost this year with the news that a strong Australian challenge is being lined up for the classic which is set to commence on August 4th.

Question: What Coursing Derby winner was not eligible to contest a Coursing Bred stake on the track?

THE Kieran Lynch trained Elegant Rumble claimed his place in the semi-final of the Guinness Trophy when winning the run-off at Curraheen Park yesterday morning.

CENTRAL CITY’S victory in the Boylesports.com Derby at Clonmel on Wednesday was a performance that defied all the traditions of greyhound breeding and which could have a major effect on future breeding lines.

HOPEFULLY we can cease writing about the weather and concentrate on the racing side of things and this week sees the commencement of the Tyrur McGuigan Open 575 at Shelbourne and the Vetsearch Kennedy Cup at Limerick.

The facilities will be limited but it will be a happy occasion when Shelbourne Park re-opens for racing this evening following the longest break the track has had since the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

THERE was relief in the voice of Shelbourne racing manager Declan Carey when he confirmed yesterday morning that racing will definitely resume at Shelbourne Park tomorrow night.

The general media world, which normally pays scant regard to the greyhound sector, suddenly discovered there is such a sport yesterday as a result of yesterday morning’s story in the Irish Examiner concerning the loss of meetings at Shelbourne Park this week due to the recent flooding problem.

HOPES that Shelbourne Park could resume this week have been dashed following the announcement yesterday that the meetings planned for tomorrow and Saturday have been called off.