Alsation can get punters off to a flier in Leger
It really is a tremendous situation when one compares it with some years back when the tracks were beginning to grind to a halt at this stage in readiness for the winter break. Nowadays, the developed stadia look to the Christmas market to steady the figures for the year!
The Leger is going to extra special this time, given that it will be the first time for the 550 yards classic to be staged at the new Limerick Stadium. There is a high class entry and some massive crowds are anticipated from here up to the final which is scheduled for Saturday, December 18th. The final, incidentally, will be televised live by RTE TV and will also be shown on www.igb.ie.
One would have thought that six heats each night would have been the ideal first round mix but, no, we have eight heats tomorrow and then the remaining four heats on Saturday. The only notified absentee thus far is Boher Supreme from trap two in Heat 2 and a reserve will run.
Looking at tomorrow’s heats, you would have to fancy Brian Kirwan’s Monlesa Alsation to get the classic off to a flying start for punters if he turns up for the opening heat. Owner James Hayden yesterday reported that the dog was found to have a virus after Shelbourne on Saturday where he surprisingly faded on the run-in. He said: “The vet has treated him for the virus and the situation is that if his temperature is okay on Thursday he will run and we are very hopeful.”
Westmead Bond and St Louis Spirit should be the big two in Heat 3 but it may be advisable to keep an eye on Cians Fantasy as he is a dog with potential. Johnny O’Sullivan’s Confident Nestor is a dog on a roll and will take beating in Heat 4 where Killacolla Glory looks the main threat. The fifth heat could throw up a great battle between Colorful Champ and Farley Blitz and the following race is left between kennel companions Westmead Bolt and Krug Ninety Five.
The night will finish on a high with two cracking heats. Skywalker Queen could well take Heat 7 at the expense of Thurlesbeg Joker and Dromore Dazzler while Makeshift, Farley Turbo and Fatboyz Tyson could have a memorable buckle in the concluding heat.
Tomorrow’s card is a fundraiser for Patrickswell GAA Club and word has it that the club will be bringing a lot of people along. It will be a thirteen race card and this could become an occasional feature at the track as Liam Kennedy tries to accommodate all the entries. The weigh-in will be between 6.20 and 7.10 pm and there will be no official trials after racing.
At Shelbourne the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake is being run as a 36 dog affair which is a bit worrying considering the status of this competition. The target was 72 but never looked like being achieved and it means that the final will now be run on December 11th instead of the scheduled December 18th. It will actually be welcomed by enthusiasts as it means it will not now clash with the St Leger final – which, to be honest, was a stupid situation in the first place!
My big three in advance of the puppy event would be Owen McKenna’s Farloe Force, Marie Gilbert’s Mozzletoff and Mossie O’Connor’s Deerfield Force but as ever in this fantastic competition we can expect new names and new stars to emerge. Others to look out for are Colourful Fox, Modern Man, Rockchase Zico, Pennys Viking, Taylors Sky (ex Rising Hawk), Cool Dude, Little Bargain and Simple Class.
There are six first round heats with the first four qualifying from each heat for the second round to be run on Saturday week.
The Pick 6 at Harold’s Cross tomorrow night will be guaranteed to €40,000 after Tuesday’s pool of over €28,000 eluded the punters.
The run of benefit meetings at Curraheen Park continues with the Munster Showjumping meeting on tomorrow week and then the Kilmacsimon Rowling Club meeting on the following Friday. Entries for the Showjumping meeting close on Saturday and entries are invited for a number of races (backgraders allowed): Open 550, Open 750, A2 525, A2 575, A3 525 and A4 575.
From Friday night of next week the Youghal Track Supporters will present each paying customer with a €2 Tote voucher which can be placed on any race they wish. It is a very interesting form of sponsorship and will clearly have the effect of increasing the Tote turnover and, hence, money back to the industry.
The draw for the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake at Shelbourne is:
Heat 1: 1 Modern Man; 2 Pennys Viking; 3 Forest Freddie (m); 4 Mozzletoff (m); 5 Westmead Ourora (m); 6 Skywalker Master (w).
Heat 2: 1 Liscahane Luke; 2 Rockchase Zico; 3 Deerfield Music; 4 Colorful Marco; 5 Black Cyclone (m); 6 Ballymac Judith (w).
Heat 3: 1 Elegant Rumble; 2 Empire Express; 3 Fastaway King; 4 Siege Of Venice; 5 Beaming Therapy (m); 6 Chasing Willyjoe (m).
Heat 4: 1 Sullane Patie; 2 Bling Bling Joe; 3 Taylors Sky; 4 Leap Of Faith; 5 Boxie (w); 6 Cool Dude (w).
Heat 5: 1 Hardy Buck; 2 Colourful Fox; 3 Farloe Force; 4 Ardera Blitz; 5 Pass The Port; 6 Greenwell Club (m).
Heat 6: 1 Hard Savings; 2 Little Bargain; 3 Simple Class; 4 Swords Spitfire; 5 Uncle Eoin (m); 6 Talktoyoulad (w).
