WATERFORD grabs the spotlight this week with the final of the Connolly’s Red Mills Masters topping the programme on Saturday and it promises to be a highly interesting contest.

A FEW very significant changes in the management of Irish tracks were confirmed yesterday. Declan O’Halloran has stepped down from the top position at the new Limerick Stadium a little over three weeks after the first night at the track. Meanwhile, An Taoiseach’s brother Barry Cowen has been appointed to the vacant General Manager position at Mullingar.

THE Ballincollig express train Leeview Jet will make a rapid return to action when he contests the Red Mills Waterford Masters which kicks off at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

One can already sense the buzz developing around this year’s Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels and the first round action suggested that Curraheen Park patrons are going to be served up some wonderful racing between now and final night.

The two sessions of the opening round of the Laurels were completed at Curraheen Park over the weekend and ante-post favourite Tyrur Enda emerged with his reputation enhanced while his kennel-companion and Derby runner-up Tyrur Big Mike’s suitability to the circuit remains somewhat in question despite a winning start to his campaign.

CLONMEL manager Eddie Anderson was a very pleased man yesterday when he reported that the Red Mills Produce Stakes had filled with 96 entries and all is now in readiness for the great feature which is the highlight of the racing year at the South Tipperary venue.