Forget last weekend, Nidge still firmly on course for Leger glory

Droopys Nidge remains firmly on course for St Leger success.

He got the job done in last weekend’s second round of the Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger at Limerick but, with expectations sky-high following his record-breaking run in the first round, the run left punters divided.

Most of the bookmaking firms, who had the Robert Gleeson-trained runner a 6-4 chance prior to last Saturday, eased him out to 2-1 following the more workmanlike performance but I wouldn’t be too quick to crab the effort.

He may not have delivered in the same swashbuckling style and the runner-up, Burgess Oscar, certainly hasn’t got the same profile as the winner, but he’s a very useful sort in his own right, and open to the kind of improvement that could see him successful in top company.

On his card is a time of 28.08 around Curraheen which would compare favourably with the best times in the Laurels. He starts and stays, and while most onlookers were expecting Droopys Nidge to sprint past the early leader when running upsides out of the second bend, I think time will prove it to have been a good performance.

Although Ladbrokes took longest to re-form their market, it seems they were either most impressed (or have greatest liabilities) as they have kept Droopys Nidge at 6-4.

I find it curious that Betfair have priced the competition in the Sportsbook but not created a market on the exchange.

One stake which, due to the nature of its make-up, doesn’t lend itself to long-odds betting is the Gain Feeds Select Stakes, at Waterford.

Laurels winner Vimmerby is joining the field for Saturday night’s semi-finals. As owner John Somers said after winning the Curraheen Classic, this race was very much on the agenda, with the English Derby next summer as his long-term plan.

He, Derby finalist Borneo, and Puppy Derby third Dolcino Flyer now step in to join the other nine greyhounds who qualified from last week’s opening round heats of the €13,000-to-the-winner stake.

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I understand preparations for the 2014 Night of Stars are well underway and, as in previous runnings, all distances will be covered and prize money levels maintained, with each winner getting €10,000.

Two old favourites, Ballymac Vic and Tyrur Sugar Ray, are expected to take their chances, with the former likely to use it as the swansong to a fine career. Derby winner Laughil Blake is also expected to grace the meeting with his presence.

For social media users, there is a Twitter account dedicated to the event (@NightOfStars14) and on its timeline you will see regular updates, and can relive the two previous runnings.

That famous race which quickly turned into a match between Sparta Maestro and Ballymac Eske, in 2012, will live long in the memory as one of the great races at Shelbourne Park.

Let’s hope this year’s renewal, which takes place on November 29, can produce some similarly brilliant buckles.

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Pat Walsh, of Shanagarry, a well-known personality in greyhound circles in Cork, has owned and trained numerous winners over the years, and his son, Brendan, is continuing the tradition of churning out winners – in the horse racing sphere.

Based in the United States, he went close to securing the Breeders’ Cup Marathon in 2013 when Worldly was beaten little more than a length, but gained compensation in style when his Cary Street romped away with the same race (now called the Las Vegas Marathon) on Friday night at Santa Anita.

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Management at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, Tralee, this week announced a new sponsor for the €5,000-to-the-winner Kingdom Derby. Eleco Services have stepped in to back the event, which is due to get underway on Friday, November 28, and conclude on December 19.

On Saturday week, November 15, at Curraheen Park there will be an all-sponsored card in aid of Ballyclough GAA Club. On the card will be an Open 525 and an Open 550. Entries for all races will close on Tuesday next. This Saturday night the track will hold a benefit meeting for Dungourney Playground.

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The winter programme begins at Youghal track next week and, in contrast to previous years, the one night of racing per week over the coming months will take place on Monday, rather than Friday.

With television rights still very much on the agenda, it has been decided that this is the correct course of action, and racing manager Johnny McGrath confirmed that, as well as the high-class nine races which have become the staple of Monday nights, additional races will be run to cater for all greyhounds. Tomorrow night’s programme will be the last Friday night of racing at the track until an as-yet-unconfirmed date in March.