Funding problem set to dominate for years to come
It has long been a mystery why greyhound and horse racing were ever moved from Agriculture which had been an appropriate home for many years. The breeding and rearing of greyhounds and horses is very much an alternative form of farming and the preserve of the rural community.
Given the nature of the employment factor involved in both sports/industries the normal confines applied by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in issuing grants cannot deal fairly and equitably with them. When any problem arises through Food and Mouth outbreaks, importation and exportation, etc, it is invariably the Department of Agriculture with which breeders, owners and trainers have to deal. So, why not deal with that Department on a full time basis. It worked satisfactorily for years and can do so again.
Yates, nowadays a media pundit having deserted the ranks of politician, also advised that both industries must work towards achieving a system of self funding for the future, rather than having to depend on the annual whim of the reigning Government. Just about the only way this can be achieved is through a form of tax of all types of betting, whether on-course, online or otherwise.
The whole question of funding is going to be a major topic for years to come and it deserves a very unified approach from all facets of the industry. Meanwhile, the delayed season is now getting into full swing with all tracks back racing by this weekend.
The class is represented by the John J. Casey Open 575 at Shelbourne where there were some fine performances in the first round despite what must have been rather inadequate preparation for many of the contestants. One would have to be wary of a “bounce back” factor in the second round. There are some very interesting clashes in prospect but the bet of the evening could be Liam Dowling’s lightly raced Burnpark Champ in the second heat.
The opening heat should develop into a match between De Ex Factor and six bend star Corporate Attack while All Dolled Up and Deanridge Fury should take the other two heats.
Prior to that we will have a better idea of the overall quality of the contenders for the IGB Unraced Stake at Clonmel. There were a few impressive winners in Sunday’s opening round and a few more will likely emerge from this evening’s second round session.
Fastest on Sunday was Ken Foley’s Boggan when beating Lorraine Moore’s Burn Em Up by half a length in 29.13. They meet again in the second heat which also contains John Linehan’s two first round winners Broadstrand Lad and Droopys Zorro, while also in there is Pa Fitzgerald’s well regarded Coolcastle Jet. It will be the night’s most interesting race.
By the way, the IGB Unraced Consolation is now being run as the Park Hotel Puppy Stake and the semis will be run on Monday next. That card will also include the semis of the Irish Examiner Open 750, the Colorful Champ Open Bitch, the Phelan & Callow Open 575 and the Cabra Cool @ Stud A3. Next Sunday’s card will include the semi-finals of the Trade Genetics A2, the Simon Molloy Memorial Tri-Distance, the Hewitt College A5 575, the T.J’s Cabs A2 550 and the Cabra Cool @ Stud A1.
Meanwhile, the new dates for the Guinness Trophy at Curraheen have been announced and the first round will be on Saturday week, January 30th.
The 36 dog event will have a prizefund of €7,100, of which the winner will receive €3,000. The Guinness Trophy is for A1 grade over 525 yards with backgraders allowed. The semi-finals will be on Saturday, February 6th with the final on Saturday, February 13th. Entries will close on Tuesday next, January 26th.
Closing on Monday next is the Ted Kelleher First Aid & Hygiene A4 Stake, a 24 dog event (no backgraders) with a winner’s prize of €1,000. The heats will be run on Friday week, January 29th.
There will be Sales at Curraheen on Tuesday, February 16th and entries are currently being accepted.
A number of tracks have announced a reduction in their race meeting schedule over the coming weeks. Tralee won’t race on Tuesdays again until February 16th but they will stage twelve race cards on both Friday and Saturday nights. Mullingar will have no Thursday night meetings until February 4th while Galway will not be racing on Thursday nights until March.
Details of the much awaited Joe Dunned Memorial Puppy 525 at Shelbourne have been announced. Confined to 48 dogs whelped in February ‘08 or later, it will commence on Saturday week, with entries closing next Tuesday morning. There will be a total fund of €16,000, of which the winner will receive €7,500 with the runner-up collecting €3,000, the third €1,500 and the unplaced finalists €500 each.
The big Pop Gun meeting at Thurles is the traditional pipe opener for the Clonmel Festival and will take place on Saturday week. There are eight open races in all on a highly interesting card and the Pop Gun will comprise of four €1,000 to the winner contests over 360, 525, 600 and 750 yards. Then there will be the four open races worth €400 over 570, 840 and 1,035 yards as well as a 2008 Puppy 525.
