No easy task as Joker attempts to resume winning ways
It will be another super Saturday at Shelbourne where the Hegarty semi-finals will be backed up by the finals of the Olympic Bee Puppy Oaks and the ECC Timber Open 550 as well as a could of bitch contests in preparation for the Oaks which starts in a few weeks.
The opening heat of the 600 promises to be a real cracker with Thurlesbeg Joker attempting to resume winning ways after running a big race in defeat last weekend. However, he faces a real test against the likes of Tyrur Chris, Westmead Bolt and Tyrur Brennan.
The other semi will be another very open affair but John Kielyâs Rossa Baby is the one to beat.
However she must do everything right with a resurgent Shaneboy Lee, Eden Brett, Tyrur Mikiemac and Tyrur Giovanni all among the rivals.
Jack Meadeâs Dalcash Dvinsky should win the Puppy Oaks if she can repeat her slick start of last weekend and Dolores Ruthâs Makeshift is clearly the one to beat in the final of the ECC Timber.
Over at Wimbledon there should be a number of Irish winners in the second round with the draw being reasonably handy for most of our fancied contenders.
Following the first round at Wimbledon no fewer than six dogs are listed as low as 10-1 by one firm or other and this list includes three Irish contenders, Toomaline Jack, Mesedo Blue and Barefoot Bullet.
All three have excellent prospects of winning again in the second round. Others work consideration include Tranquil Time, Beaming Dilemma, Forest Boss, Oran Legend and Tullymurry Act. Just letâs hope that the Irish dogs continue to progress to ensure strong representation in the final on May 29th!
There are hectic times ahead at Curraheen Park with four separate fundraisers in the month of May. On the 13th it will be Cork Con and the following night the Irish Wheelchair Association. Then on Friday 21st the visitors will be College Corinthians AFC followed a week later by the Upper Glanmire Community Association. That schedule will certainly keep the turnstiles clicking merrily.
The action will be pretty hot on the track also with the Barrys Tea Open 750 running between May 15th and 29th and the Macroom Motors Stake will kick off on May 2nd. Word has it that Colorful Champ is already an entry along with Castlelyons Ralf.
The Lee Strand 550 kicked off at Tralee on Tuesday night and the remaining first round heats will be run tomorrow. Once again it promises to be a top class competition and the pacesetter on Tuesday was the Jim Healy and John McGough owned Canary Dave which was a runaway winner of the second heat in 29.97
Another very interesting competition which is due to commence this weekend is the Red Mills Champion Unraced Stake at Kilkenny. The full first round will be run on Sunday and the rumour mill suggests that the usual number of young flying machines will be involved.
It is an event that invariably produces a few really big names and it will be very interesting to follow the progress of the next few weeks.
Finally, changing subjects, an interesting new device has been launched this week which should prove of huge benefit to all involved in the feeding of greyhounds. It is the Gain Greyhound Diet Calculator which can be availed free of charge through the Gain Feeds website www.gainfeeds.com.
Gainâs John Fox explains how it works: âThe calculator will balance over 4,000 different racing diets. It is designed to allow people use varying amounts and quality of meat, vegetables, cereals, etc. and be reassured that the diet they choose will be balanced for all the important nutrients such as protein, fat, minerals and vitaminsâ.
