Two major competitions reach the semi-final stage on the tracks this week with the semi-finals of both the Sporting Press Irish Oaks at Shelbourne and the Bettor.com Northern Irish Derby at Drumbo Park to be run on Saturday.

The withdrawal of Smoke Pixie from the quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks is a major blow to her connections following her stunning 28.31 run in dreadful conditions at Shelbourne Park last Saturday.

Irish greyhound racing will have its own Breeders’ Cup this year with the staging of the Night Of Stars at Shelbourne Park on Saturday, December 1.

The introduction of the new Mini Open grade from next Tuesday has been widely welcomed by owners and trainers and should fill the huge void which had existed in the current grading system.

The draw for the first round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks has thrown up a few intriguing clashes.

THE Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels is the centrepiece of a magnificent card at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

There will be new faces in the racing offices at both Youghal and Waterford after yesterday’s confirmation that current Youghal boss Kathleen Lennon is moving down the road to assume the position of Racing Manager at Waterford.

WITH no further withdrawals yesterday, there are 92 dogs standing for tonight’s opening second round session of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park.

The entries are rolling in for the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby and it now looks certain that the target of 144 entries will be received by Friday’s closing date. Up to late yesterday evening there were almost 100 names in the book and with some of the top kennels yet to confirm their plans.

We are now on the verge of the most important part in the Irish greyhound calendar.