Sponsorships breed confidence
When Paddy Power announced they were ending their association with the Derby after ten years at the helm, there was a widespread feeling that it would be very difficult to find a replacement. However, on Monday afternoon at Shelbourne, Ladbrokes Ireland were introduced as the new sponsors and they have signed up for a three-year deal. The decision signifies a confidence in the industry and is just the fillip the game needs right now.
The Derby news came hot on the heels of the confirmation of Gain Feeds’ continued support of the Irish Cesarewitch at Mullingar and now we hear that Red Mills have also signed up for this year’s Produce Stakes at Clonmel. This latter classic will kick off on April 1 and 4.
A few gaps have yet to be filled on the sponsorship portfolio, with the former Ladbrokes 600 at Shelbourne now without a sponsor as Ladbrokes have gone on to better things. This should be a very attractive package for potential sponsors as it is not only one of the most popular competitions in the annual calendar but there is also guaranteed live TV coverage by RTÉ of the final on Saturday, May 15.
There was a sad element to last weekend’s racing with leading southern tracker Tip And Tin breaking a hock while leading in the semi-final of the Vetsearch International Kennedy Cup at Limerick.
Joe Carey has confirmed that the son of Crash and Tinas Glory will not race again. “It’s a terrible pity as he was definitely running a better dog this year and I was really hoping for another big success from him. He will now go to stud but we haven’t fully decided where he will stand.”
During a notable career, Tip And Tin contested a number of big finals and his highlight was winning the 2008 Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake at Shelbourne.
Saturday’s Kennedy Cup final still promises to be a cracking contest on a very attractive card at the Markets Field. The inside two runners could be the principals in the big final and, though trap one is not everybody’s cup of tea, Pat O’Connor’s Gold Slipalong looks to have a real chance. A very strong case can be made for John O’Brien’s Brickfield Snow and a victory for this fellow could spark some huge celebrations.
A supporting race that really catches the eye is the Open 700 where the brilliant Corporate Attack will be a strong favourite and should do the job nicely. Incidentally, anybody travelling on from the Irish Cup on Saturday afternoon can gain admission to the Markets Field for €5 on presentation of the Irish Cup card.
The proposed Supporters Club has now been formed at Tralee and Murt Murphy is the chairman. There are plenty of plans in the pipeline but it spells very good news for the Kingdom Stadium with all money raised going towards sponsoring new sweepstakes and boosting existing stakes. The full committee is: Chairman - Murt Murphy; Vice Chairman - Sean Flaherty; Secretary - Dan Lynch; PRO - Murt Murphy; Jt Treasurers - Eileen Harrington & John McGough; Committee - Liam Dowling, Sean O'Keeffe, Tom Murphy, Jonathon Bet, Martin Moriarty, Tony Griffin, Noel Keane, John Saunders.
A reminder to Tralee racegoers that from this weekend racing will start on Saturdays at 7.55pm in order to tie in with the new time schedule at Shelbourne. The last of their 11 races will go off at 10.25 pm.
Saturday’s card includes the finals of the John & Mary (Killeacle) Dowling Memorial A1 570 and the Green Heat @ Stud A4 570. Keel GAA Club will celebrate their Mid Kerry championship victory at the Kingdom Stadium tomorrow night. The semi-finals of the 3 Mobile A1 525 will provide the top fare.
On the subject of Tralee there is a special “Three for Two” offer currently available. It means that anybody who turns up on a Tuesday night can buy a €20 ticket thet will entitle them to admission on the Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights at the track.
This offer will run to the end of May while the deal for students and OAP’S will be €10 for the three nights.
And so to Shelbourne Park where the Tote Gold Cup gets underway on Saturday and promises to be one of the best such competitions in years. There is a splendid entry and provides that intriguing clash of the generations with the established trackers being taken on by some of the champion puppies of last season.
The prime clash in the first round will see last year’s Puppy Derby winner Tullymurry Act against the Derby, Laurels and Masters runner-up Oran Classic in Heat 5. Both dogs have trialled well but from the trap draw I would be inclined to side with Tullymurry.
Three new managers have been appointed in the past week. Tim Kinane, a former assistant at Shelbourne, is to take over in Kilkenny while Alan O’Shaughnessy has been appointed the RSO at Waterford and Shelly Galvin has been handed the same role at Mullingar.
The Pick 5 Jackpot at Newbridge tomorrow will be a biggest ever €5,000 and the card includes the final of the Cox's Cash & Carry A1 525 and this promises to be quite a race with that amazing veteran Daleys Buzz in the inside box.
Finally, news from Waterford where a new Supporters Club is also now in operation. The Club is planning a series of monthly sweepstakes over a variety of distances worth over €50,000. Entry fees for each event will be €20 for members and € 30 for non-members of the Supporters Club. It is also hoped to procure nominators for the monthly stakes from various local sporting clubs and public houses which should help boost attendances at the track.
