Stand by for fireworks as Milldean Panther returns
He was yesterday drawn to contest the third heat in the opening round of the SIS Live Tote Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and one predicts that he will draw a very large crowd.
So impressive in his unbeaten ten from ten juvenile career, he now takes the big step into the world of all- aged racing but he can take it in his stride and one predicts another hugely impressive performance in the third heat where the main dangers look to be Olympic Honcho and Slippery Patch.
One anticipates the layers commencing betting on just how long the 550 yards track record will survive with this fellow now set to pursue his career over what would appear to be his ideal distance. A 29.55 return trial last Tuesday morning was very fine running after such a lengthy absence and a spell at stud. Stand by for fireworks!
There are just 42 in the draw for the valuable competition which carries a winner’s prize of €30,000 and there are some cracking contests lined up. Pick of the bunch would have to be the opening heat where last year’s Irish Derby favourite is opposed by the hugely talented Razldazl Will and with such highly rated performers as Airforce Frankie, Tyrur Lucky, Airlie Impact and Eabhas Fantasy in opposition.
Another cracking contest should be Heat 5 where Tyrur Big Mike will be opposed by Rockview Head, Uncle Eoin and Tibetan Skies. All in all it promises to be a tremendous competition with three to qualify from each heat in addition to the three fastest fourth placed finishers.
Curraheen Park will have its own busy night on Saturday with the final of the 48th annual Guinness Trophy topping a classy programme. The big final looks a wide open race and strong cases can be made for all six runners.
Best drawn is undoubtedly the wide running Move Over Bono, a dog trained by Tom O’Neill for Eddie Murphy. He sprang a big surprise last week when leading home fast finishing kennel companion Glenanore and the pair of them give O’Neill a major chance of taking the prize.
Arguably the worst drawn is the John Kiely trained Kranky Ma but she could well overcome the five draw to get across her field.
The Kudos Creative Catering Supersprint will commence on Friday, March 2nd with a prize of €3,500 awaiting the winner of one of Ireland’s top sprinters. Then starting a night later will be the Crossfield Kennels Puppy Oaks (March ‘10) for 24 bitches and a winner’s prize of €1,400.
Today is closing day for the 12 dog €500 A6 (No Bg) Racedogs 525 which commences next Thursday. Entries close on Saturday for a 24 dog €1,000 GOBA N2/3 Unraced Stake and then on Tuesday next for the GOBA Getting Out A1 550 and the 12 dog €600 A2 (Bg) 525 to be run on Saturday week.
They are looking forward to a big night at Tralee tomorrow for the semi-finals of the John & Mary “Killeacle” Dowling Memorial 570 plus the semis of the Down Syndrome Ireland 750. Liam Harty’s Lassinagh Brae has been impressive in the Dowling 570 with runs of 31.03 and 31.12 but he will have his work cut out against Elaine Guiney’s Usual Story, a flying 30.95 winner last weekend, in the second semi. Paddy Purtill’s Seans Ranger and Mary Burrell’s Mossend Folly could dominate the first heat.
Racing at Tralee has returned to full speed following the resumption of their Tuesday meetings this week. On Saturday they should also have a very big turn-out for the Ballyheigue Coursing Club benefit meeting with 12 sponsored races and loads of spot prizes to be raffled. Presentations will also be made to the wining connections of 2012 Coursing Derby winner Go Home Hare and Champion Bitch Stake winner Portinard Nine.
There will be emotional scenes at Limerick tomorrow night when that great old campaigner Joey Jojo Junior will run his final race. It is his fourth birthday and the fourteen members of the Deeogee Syndicate have decided to call it a day with their terrific servant who has been trained by Pat Guilfoyle. The dog will actually be available at stud with Pat having won fifteen top class races in his career at eight different tracks and winning more than €11,000. His biggest success came when he won the Vetsearch International Kennedy Cup at Limerick last year. Syndicate member William Quirke says: “He has given the syndicate many nights of fun throughout the country over the past two years and we probably never will have a dog to match his ability again”. Wouldn’t it be nice if he could go out on a winning note?
News from Limerick is that they will stage an extra night’s racing on Monday, March 5th due to the current volume of entries in the track pool. Saturday’s meeting will feature the final of the Bennett Oil A5 525 as well as the February Deal of the Month A6 525.
The €1,000 March Is On @ Stud N2/3 525 will commence on Saturday, February 25th, the middle day of the Irish Cup meeting at Patrickswell.
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