Definate Opinion facing tough task
The draw has thrown up some wonderful clashes and, with the Cork fans in town for the All-Ireland semi-final, there should be an absolutely bumper attendance.
One of the main talking points last weekend was the defeat of Definate Opinion by Blazers Black after he had cut out the running down the back straight.
Trainer Pat Guilfoyle yesterday cleared up the mystery when reporting that he was sore after the race but he is very hopeful matters are rectified.
Guilfoyle said: “He didn’t run the third bend and gave away a few lengths on it. I knew there was some problem and it transpired that he was very sore in the neck and shoulders. He has been treated and he seems to be almost perfect. I am very hopeful you will see a different dog on Saturday night.’’
However, he will need to be at his sharpest to survive a red hot third heat where Colorful Champ, Tyrur Big Mike and Monleek Bay will be among his rivals.
The sponsors have issued their betting on the third round heats and I am very tempted by a few of their prices. For instance, the 11-4 offered about Cabra Legend in Heat 4 appears to be generous and I very much doubt if Tyrur Enda will be available at 2-1 in Heat 7. Cabra Legend looks to have the perfect draw in trap four and the sponsor’s favourite, Krug Ninety Five, may have difficulties in getting around Hats My Boy in the early stages.
The shortest priced favourite is Makeshift at 1-3 to win Heat 6 and he really does look head and shoulders above his rivals. While I fancy Farley Blitz to win Heat 8 he hardly deserves to be as short at 2-5 given the early pace in opposition.
Looking ahead to the coming Saturdays, entries are invited for open racers on quarter, semi and final nights.
The Derby final card will involve opens over all distances from 350 to 850 and will also include an open bitch 525.
Talking of classics, there are a couple just around the corner.
The Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels will kick-off on the Friday after the derby final, September 17. It is very close to the derby and perhaps it might be a good idea to try to attract some of the derby finalists by granting them direct entry into the second round, a system which has been used for champion stakes finalists contesting the derby in the past.
Before then the Track Bookmakers Puppy Derby at Harold’s Cross will close on Monday, September 6 and the first round heats will be run the following Friday night. Carrying a winner’s prize of €25,000, the Puppy Derby is for 72 dogs whelped not before October ‘08.
There will be a special official trial session for entrants on Monday week from 3 to 5pm and they must be pre-booked. The exciting news from Limerick yesterday was that the first trials will be staged on the new circuit at Greenpark on Tuesday next.
There will be a limited private session between 5 and 7pm and there will be further sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, both between 2 and 5pm. As the stadium is still in construction mode, there will not be any handslips for the first two weeks and there will be a maximum of four dogs per person and only people with greyhounds will be allowed to enter the stadium.
All dogs must be pre-booked either online or directly with Limerick Stadium Racing Office through Patricia or Liam on 061-448024 or 061-448038. For the first two weeks the trials will be free of charge but there may be delays as it becomes necessary to modify or adjust equipment during the sessions while the track surface will be watered and plated at regular intervals at the hare driver’s discretion.
In the corridors of power there was surprise news this week that Billy Bell will be moving from his position as Racing Manager at Harold’s Cross to take up a similar position at Mullingar where Shelley Gavin is moving on to take up a job in the IT sector.
A meeting deserving special mention this weekend will be staged at Tralee on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm).
Termed the Big T Party it will be attended by all the Roses who are in Tralee for the festival. There will be fun for all the family, ranging from bouncy castles and face painting to best dressed competitions to a donkey derby and terrier racing. There will also be the opportunity to win VIP tickets to both nights of the Rose selection at the Dome.
