AROUND THE TRACKS

CURRAHEEN: Saturday’s card will include the finals of the Irish & European A2 525 and a separate A2 575 Stake.

There will be a gala sponsored meeting on behalf of Fermoy GAA on Friday, August 20 and entries are invited for Open 525, A1 550, A2 575 and A4 575. Entries close tomorrow for a 12 dog €500 A7 525 (No Bg). Closing tomorrow week is the 24 dog €1,000 A5 550 (Bg) and then on August 17th a 24 dog €1,000 A3 550 (Bg). Entries are also being accepted for the Sales on Tuesday, September 21.

HAROLDS CROSS: Super Sunday at the Cross this weekend will kick off at 6 pm with six finals in all on the gala programme. It will be a real family evening with all sorts of treats for kids and adults alike. Entries will close on Tuesday next for 18 dog stakes for A3 525 and A3 570 as well as a 12 dog €1,000 Open 550.

KILKENNY: Two valuable competitions are currently in progress at the track and the semi-finals of both will be run tomorrow. The Paddy Butler Memorial A4 has thrown up a number of fine performers and Michael Dalton’s Express Gem will be strongly fancied after her 29.04 run last week. The one to beat in the Track Bookmakers A3 5125 would appear to be Rita and Edel Harrington’s Cool Rocket with a 29.12 effort.

NEWBRIDGE: Entries will close on Tuesday for the valuable Texacloth Newbridge Puppy Derby (Sept ‘08) which will commence tomorrow week. Tomorrow’s programme includes two finals as does Saturday’s at the track.

SHELBOURNE: The Ladbrokes.com Derby Plate will be for 48 dogs beaten in the first two rounds of the Derby itself and the first round will be run on Thursday, August 18. Entries must be confirmed with the stadium. Entries are invited for a series of open races on Saturday week over 525 and 550 yards as well as A1 575.

THURLES: They were delighted with the success of the Sales at Thurles last weekend with 20 lots making four figures and the top lot making €7,000. Now the attention switches to the Derby Sale on Saturday, September 11. Commencing on August 20 & 21 will be the 48 dog €1,800 Abbey CBS India A4 Buster (No Bg) and the 24 dog €1,500 Trade Veterinary Open Puppy 525 (Sept ‘08). There will be an A4 Novice 750 tomorrow week.

YOUGHAL: With the Southern Oaks now completed and the winner Clearview Kelly heading on to the Derby at Shelbourne, the focus of attention down Youghal way turns to the Catunda Harry Champion Stakes Open 550 which will commence on Monday, August 23. Prior to that the 23 dog €1,200 Loughnatousa A3 550 (No Bg) will commence on Monday. There will be a one-off €300 D1 750 on Monday week, August 16.