Biggest ever Irish contingent for English Derby
Now, whether it is the strongest Irish team is a matter of conjecture but a number of our challengers went through their paces in trials yesterday. Fastest was Owen McKenna’s Faypoint Man as he clocked 28.54 while kennel companion Pablo Supreme clocked 29.09.
Next best was Fraser Black’s Forest Boss as he went around in 28.57 and his kennel companion Krug Ninety Five clocked 28.79.
John Linehan’s Cork qualifier Droopys Sastre did 29.03 while Paul Hennessy’s Barefoot Bullet went around in 28.68. Graham Holland’s Carib King did 29.03 and Sevenheads Bay 28.91 while David Jordan’s Archaton Pine stopped the clock in 28.86.
Fastest of the session was last year’s runner-up Fear Zafonic with a brilliant 28.41.
The big early news this week has been the major night that is planned for the Kingdom Stadium on Friday, June 18th.
It will be a fundraiser for the Kerry GAA Team Training Fund with a fundraising target of €100,000. Obviously there will be a huge effort put into this event and giving the night a massive boost will be the final of the Lynch Family Paddy O’Sullivan Race of Champions which will be for 24 open class racers at an entry fee of €350 and will carry a winner’s prize of €20,000.
The Race of Champions has been run as a one-off contest over the past two years but this time it will be run over three rounds with the first round on Saturday, June 5th and the semis on Friday, June 11th.
The main core of the fundraiser will be a €100 Buster Draw which is expected to generate €700,000 for the fund and will boast some superb prizes.
Tralee General Manager Declan Dowling says: “We are grateful to the Lynch family for their generous sponsorship in these tough economic times and with the calendar open for a top class event at this time of year, it will be a great boost for greyhound owners”.
The big event on the track front this week will be the semi-finals of the Red Mills Produce Stakes at Clonmel on Sunday evening and the bookmakers will be eagerly anticipating another round of action after their bonanza last weekend.
However, one suspects that from a four draw Colorful Champ can renew his winning ways in the first semi where the Eddie and Denis Fitzgerald trained Castlelyons Ralf would looks the main danger.
Owen McKenna’s Faypoint Dave and Paul Hennessy’s Olympic Sunrise look the big two in the second heat but it will be difficult to keep the fast finishing Cooladerry Fizz out of the places.
Her trainer Sean Meaney tells me that she will miss the second round of the Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne tonight due to a few niggles but he hopes she will be okay for Sunday’s race.
By the way, entries are invited for four open races over 300, 550, 575 and 1,015 yards to be run on final night, Sunday week.
Another meeting worth mentioning is Kilkenny tomorrow where the semi-finals of the Broadway Pet Foods McCalmont Cup will be decided.
This is a very competitive A1 competition and from a perfect inside draw Chicken Supper could be a betting proposition in the second heat where Dryland Ted will be a major danger.
Just a week after landing the Easter Cup final last weekend Thurlesbeg Joker will be setting off on the trail of another major prize when he contests the second heat of the Hegarty Bookmakers 600 at Shelbourne next Saturday.
In his current form Owen McKenna’s dog is clearly one to beat in this competition but it is going to be a tough affair.
There is a full 48 dog entry and among the leading fancies will be John Kiely’s Rossa Baby, Fraser Black’s Westmead Bolt and Westmead Fleet, P.J. Fahy’s Tyrur Giovanni and Tyrur Brennan, Denis Kiely’s Shaneboy Lee, Francie and Warne, Pat O’Connor’s Bellewood Prince and Pat Buckley’s Droopys Noel.
By the way, the ECC Timber Puppy 550 kicks off at Shelbourne tonight on a card that also features the second round of the Olympic Bee Puppy Oaks.
The final heat of the 550 will be an intriguing affair with Fatboyz Tyson being taken on by the likes of Dromore Dazzler and Razldazl Lord.
The draw for the first round of the Hegarty 600 to be run at Shelbourne on Saturday is:
Heat 1: 1 Westmead Fleet; 2 Tyrur Mikiemac; 3 Global Hope; 4 Faypoint Man (m); 5 Serene Digital (w); 6 Blazers Black (w).
Heat 2: 1 Shaneboy Warne; 2 Tyrur Giovanni (m); 3 Rebel Ted (m); 4 Drumcrow General (m); 5 Thurlesbeg Joker (m); 6 Tipp Fab (w).
Heat 3: 1 Dons Rebel; 2 Shaneboy Francie; 3 Farloe Newborn (m); 4 Faypoint Lad (m); 5 Lickfinn Darkie (w); 6 Tyrur Brennan (w).
Heat 4: 1 Jacks Navigator; 2 Pennys Genesis; 3 Ballyfeard Brave; 4 Lady Clio; 5 Rossa Baby (w); 6 Mardocs Foster (w).
Heat 5: 1 Bog Road Joe; 2 Westmead Bolt; 3 Hello Hippy; 4 Bellewood Prince; 5 Jackella; 6 Eden Brett (m).
Heat 6: 1 Rossonairi King; 2 Slick Season; 3 Hee Haws Montana; 4 Pachacuti; 5 Westmead Palace (m); 6 Accordello (m).
Heat 7: 1 Welesbourne Dan; 2 Tyrur Chris; 3 Ropewalk Wonder; 4 Flying Wonder; 5 Awesome Prince; 6 Shaneboy Lee (m).
Heat 8: 1 Droopys Noel; 2 Full Of Beans; 3 Bridge Savings; 4 Gunner; 5 Dolittle Prince (m); 6 Three One Three (m).
