Punters had mixed fortunes in the Sporting Press Irish Oaks quarter-finals at Shelbourne on Saturday, as two of the heats went to big priced winners, although Cabra Millie offered some relief when recording the fastest time of the round in the final heat.

WELL, here are virtually on the eve of the biggest day of the year in greyhound sport - the final of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park and all is in readiness for what promises to be the night of all nights.

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.

Here’s hoping that the worst predictions of the Met Office prove off the mark and that the Christmas racing schedule can continue at full pace at tracks all over the country over the weekend.

LAST weekend’s Hennerty Sales Laurels winner Tyrur Enda will be returning to Munster for his final outings of the season after owner PJ Fahy decided to run the champion in the Red Mills Masters, which commences at Kilcohan Park on Saturday week.

TOMORROW is all about the future of Irish greyhound racing.

It is getting down to the serious end of affairs in the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park and the talk of the greyhound world this week is that intriguing fourth quarter final to be run 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.

BOTH semi finals of the Droopys Stud Munster Oaks at Waterford on Saturday had similar outcomes with the early pace-setter caught in the dying strides.

OWEN McKenna had the perfect start to Derby final week when he won Monday’s Catunda Harry Champion Stakes final at Youghal with the Lorraine Moore owned Pablo Supreme.