Mike must steer right course to stay on track
A middle draw appears to have been the making of this dog but a trap two berth for the third of the quarter-finals on Saturday will test his versatility. He has never run from that far inside but I suspect he will run straight to the bend. Whether he will clash with Mesedo Blue at that point is the major question and any trouble between them would open a door or two for the likes of Kinda Ready, Thurlesbeg Joker, Killacolla Glory and Westmead Grant.
Young Conor Fahy is still some days short of his 22nd birthday but he finds himself in the role of trainer of Big Mike as well as the three other Tyrur trackers remaining.
Yesterday he was happy with his four charges. “They were all checked out on Monday and are fine and we gave them a gallop on Tuesday and they will have another short gallop on Thursday. But they are all in great form and, hopefully, a few of them will qualify for the semi-finals”.
The opening heat will be another cracker with Tyrur Enda opposed by the Paul Hennessy pair Colorful Champ and Barefoot Bullet. Monlesa Alsation another very strong fancy in five and Whatsupjack and Ballymac Upper will be big dangers.
However, Enda looks the likely favourite with his brilliant early pace set to give him an early advantage.
The second heat is the most open of the four. Strong cases can be made for all six with Foyle Storm, Razldazl Lord and Tyrur McGuigan likely to battle it out for the early lead with Blazers Black, Freedom Seacrest and Krug Ninety Five doing their best work from the second bend.
Pat Buckley has been unfortunate with both his runners, Tullymurry Act and Hats My Boy, drawn in Heat 4. Both have serious chances but the big question is whether they can lead Definate Opinion to the bend. Tyrur Richie is capable of being up there early as is Oran Jaguar while Dromore Hero is a strong runner with the perfect pitch in six.
My original big three of Definate Opinion, Tyrur Big Mike and Barefoot Bullet are all moving nicely but the real test starts this weekend.
Entries will close on Monday week for a series of open races to be run on Derby final night over all distances from 350 to 850 yards and will also include and open Bitch 525. Derby semi-final night will be a benefit for the Camogie Association of Ireland and there will be opens over 525, 550 and 575 as well as A1 575 and D1 750.
Commencing the night before the Derby final will be the Track Bookmakers Puppy Derby at Harold’s Cross and a special official pre-booked trial session for entries will be staged on Monday next between 3 and 5 pm.
Entries for the puppy classic will close on Monday week, September 6th and the event will kick off on Friday, September 10th with the complete first round. For 72 greyhounds, whelped in October ‘08 or later, the Puppy Derby will carry a winner’s prize of €25,000 with the runner-up taking €8,000 and the third €4,000.
THE news last week from Curraheen that the prizemoney for the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels will remain at last year’s level was a welcome boost. It proves what hard work and promotion can do and should be taken as an example by all strands of the industry.
A €35,000 prize in the current climate is a tremendous fillip for the industry and Pat and his supporters are to be complimented. The 96 dog spectacular is set to start on Friday, September 17.
On the subject of Curraheen, entries close tomorrow for the 18 dog €550 A6 Racedogs 525 which commences next Thursday. Also entries are invited for one-off races on Saturday week, a D1 750 and Open 525 and for a Novice 750 to be run on Friday, September 10. The 24 dog €1,200 A2 525 Bg will commence on September 11.
There will be no trials on Tuesday, August 31st but there will be unrecorded trials on Monday, August 30. Also there will be official trials for Laurels entries before racing but these must be pre-booked with the Racing Office. The Sales on September 21 will be closing soon.
The semi-finals of the Texacloth Puppy Derby will be run at Newbridge tomorrow with Seamus Graham’s Tolerton Crasher and Brian McCann’s Kerrydale Lar the likely winners.
The semi-finals of the Catunda Harry Champion Stakes will attract a smashing crowd to Youghal on Monday night.
Pablo Supreme was fastest in the opening round and he will meet fellow heat winners Fleetwood Nick and Da Dancer in the opening heat. Kevins Star will be fancied in the second heat but expect a better run this time from Robert Gleeson’s Kilmalady Torres which found early trouble on Monday last.
Tomorrow’s meeting is a benefit for St Catherine’s GAA Club and the card includes three finals. Also on Monday’s card will be the heats of the 12 dog €800 A2 525 and a one off D2 700. Commencing on Monday week, September 6, will be the 24 dog €1,200 Postman Pat A3 525 and then on Friday, September 3 the 24 dog €900 D&H Greyhound Supplies A5 Stake.
After initial problems with the traps, which resulted in handslips only being given around the Limerick circuit on Tuesday evening, things were reported to be all set for trials yesterday evening and a further session is planned for 5pm this evening.
