In a week when the when the finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks, the Bettor.com Northern Irish Derby and the Track Supporters Munster Derby will be run, another major event will be the semi-finals of the Betdaq Race of Champions at Tralee on Friday.

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.

Dolores Ruth’s domination of the Williamhill.com English Derby continued at Wimbledon last night as her three runners all effortlessly qualified for Saturday’s semi-finals with both Razldazl Jayfkay and Razldazl Rioga scoring hugely impressive victories.

Razldazl Jayfkay created history in the second round of the williamhill.com English Derby at Wimbledon when posting new figures for the 480 metre trip.

The week started on a very encouraging note with news of Red Mills’ sponsorship of the Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park for a three year period. It is a great boost for the sport in the south and will allow all involved to plan well into the future.

The dreadful weather conditions yesterday made things difficult for some trainers heading for the English Derby at Wimbledon which starts tomorrow night with 11 Irish runners in action in the first session.

The old adage “there’s life in the old dog yet” was pretty appropriate at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as the veteran pairing of Broadstrand Lad and Tyrur Big Mike impressed in the second round of the College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup.

Following his sale on Saturday last, Cabra Noel is likely to race as Tyrur Justin when he begins his quest for English Derby honours at Wimbledon.

They must have thought the day would never come, but the long suffering patrons at Youghal track finally heard the news yesterday that the seaside track is to get a €100,000 contribution from the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) to deliver improvements at the track.

THERE had been genuine fears there would be a shortage of greyhounds to satisfy all the extra racing in Dublin in the build-up to Christmas.

THERE is less than three and a half minutes of action remaining in the Ladbrokes.com Derby and tonight’s quarter finals at Shelbourne Park will account for two of those minutes.

THE Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby got off to a tremendous start at Shelbourne Park last night with some fabulous performances.

JUDICIAL Academy and What A Tornado will battle it out for favouritism for this evening’s Kerry AgriBusiness St Leger at Limerick, but on the track there could be one or two more getting involved in what promises to be a thrilling decider.

It may be only six months since the 2010 Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger final was run at the brand new Limerick Stadium but a huge crowd will be convening again on Saturday to savour the 2011 decider where there will be very strong local interest.

GREYHOUND followers have classic action on three fronts on Saturday night.

IT’S another busy week on the tracks with top action all over the country.

PLOUGH Lane will have a strong hint of green about it this evening as the Irish go in search of yet another victory in the williamhill.com English Derby. Our two representatives, Barefoot Bullet and Razldazl George, both hold outstanding claims in the stg£75,000 contest.

DOLORES Ruth is responsible for the favourite in both semi-finals of the College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park this evening and while both look likely to qualify for next week's final they will need to be on their toes to emerge on top this evening.