Cowen takes the reins at Mullingar
Both developments have been open secrets over the past number of days but were confirmed yesterday by the IGB. O’Halloran had created a favourable impression in his short reign at Limerick and oversaw the successful launch of the new stadium. It is understood he is moving to a position in the insurance industry in Cork.
He said: “Having worked so closely with so many people on the successful launch of this wonderful new stadium, it is with much regret that I am moving on after what was a short but highly exciting period for the greyhound industry in the mid-west region. The new stadium has been a massive good news story for Limerick from an investment and jobs point of view. When you see a business with every restaurant seat sold for the month of December, it can only mean good news for the region in terms of jobs and suppliers”.
Cowen takes over as Sales, Commercial and Operations Manager at Mullingar Track next Monday in succession to Derek Frehill who has moved as Racing Manager to Harold’s Cross.
Cowen is a well known and successful greyhound owner and has been involved in the ownership of many of the very speedy Gilbeyhall greyhounds. It is the third change in that position at Mullingar this year as Frehill had earlier taken over from Philip Peake who also moved to HX.
There was also a major development on the racing side yesterday with Irish Derby finalist Thurlesbeg Joker getting back into the Red Mills Waterford Masters and so gives trainer Pat Gordon three runners in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Tyford Comet was withdrawn yesterday morning and is replaced by fourth placed finisher. He will run from trap five in the very competitive second heat where kennel companion Fatboyz Tyson will be on his outside in six.
That second semi promises to be one of the races of the year boasting, as it does, a star-studded line-up with the sextet completed by De Ex Factor, Leeview Jet, Beaming Dilemma and Colorful Champ.
This is a high class staging of the Masters with Tyrur Enda, Krug Ninety Five, Jonny Whitesox, Fatboyz Nodrog, Hello Ringo and Razldazl Lord lining up for the first heat.
There will be an interesting programme at Curraheen Park on Saturday with the semi-finals of the Oliver Hawkes Memorial Open 575 backed up by the finals of the A2 525 and the Edith Wilkins Childrens Foundation A7.
There are two very interesting heats in the Hawkes Memorial which is sponsored by a number of friends of the late Oliver who was a great patron of Cork and Youghal tracks and was a former chairman of the Cork GOBA. Definate Opinion is the stand out contender but he needs to step up a little on his recent running to see off the likes of St Louis Spirit and Master Blaster in his heat.
It is a busy weekend at Curraheen with a benefit tonight in aid of Haven with funds going to Haiti and there will be all sorts of entertainment for the kids on the night. Then tomorrow it will be the turn of the Valley Rovers GAA and this promises to be a great occasion. There will be a gala draw, best dressed lady competition sponsored by Brown Thomas, novelty relay and of course music afterwards.
There are two high profile meetings on Sunday with the final of the Supporters Club Munster Puppy Cup on the agenda at Clonmel while up the road at Newbridge the final of the JP Moran & Trevor O’Donnell Oaks will be staged.
It is a pity two such interesting races should have to clash but both venues should be well attended. There is a huge carrot on offer at Newbridge with the winner set to collect a €7,000 prize but she will also qualify for a €60,000 bonus payable if she can go on to win the 2011 Irish Oaks at Shelbourne.
The sponsors, who are track layers, have offered betting on the final and they evens about Air Force Ellie and then 4-1 bar. Air Force Ellie, trained by Paul Hennessy, has been an absolute revelation in this competition and she was quite awesome when clocking 28.41in the semi. Inclined to trail early, she really flies from the second bend and is given the vote to lead home Shelbourne Dawn and Doodle Doo.
In the absence of Farloe Force after his shock defeat last weekend, the Munster Puppy final is a really open race with fastest semi winner Colorful Fox far from ideally drawn in the six box. It might be worth taking a chance with the well housed, fast starting Archaton Linda which is owned by David Jordan and could well skip clear to the bend. But this is a mighty open contest and well worth a visit to Clonmel.
