Maestro can make his mark in battle of the generations
The major end-of-season pick up has been inspired by the majestic performances from the young pups, led by the imperious Milldean Panther with superb support from the likes of Sparta Maestro, Dear Pa, Razldazl Will, Callums Flash.
Now we look forward to the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake at Shelbourne and this prestigious competition is very much the major classic indicator. Entries close on Monday and the plan is to split the first round over Thursday and Saturday nights next week.
The plan is for Milldean Panther to take his place in the Comerford and obviously he will be a red-hot favourite to maintain his career unbeaten record. Hopefully his presence won’t frighten away some other contenders but a shrewd veteran trainer has regularly reminded me that nobody should ever avoid a competition because of a single greyhound as there are so many things that go wrong!
Kilcohan Park takes the spotlight on Saturday night with the final of the Red Mills Waterford Masters.
This is a smashing contest with that extra element of young champion taking on the older stars.
The Phil Gough trained Puppy Derby winner Sparta Maestro faces up to the likes of Derby runner-up Dream Walker, Leger and Laurels finalist Varra Captain and the ever consistent Piercestown Sand.
Paddy Power were first into the ring with Dream Walker, Sparta and Piercestown as the 15-8 co-favourites but Ladbrokes have since come aboard with Sparta Maestro as the marginal 7-4 favourite ahead of Dream Walker at 2-1 and Piercestown at 9-4.
Sparta Maestro is capable of breaking much better this time and he has the pace to overpower his rivals over the trip. He can lead home Dream Walker and Piercestown Sand.
The big event at Curraheen this weekend is the final of the Tyrur Kennels Open 575 on Saturday and here it is difficult to look beyond the big two, Broadstrand Lad and Knockane Rebel, though cases can also be made for Lass Cause in particular on her first round 31.33 effort.
John Linehan’s Broadstrand hasn’t got one of his flying starts yet but his early pace has stood to him nicely and I would expect him to assert early before holding the sure late challenge of Liam O’Callaghan’s Knockane Rebel.
The other big final of the weekend will be the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Oaks at Newbridge on Saturday, the highlight of the official opening of the relaunched track. There will be a high class field of bitches pursuing the €8,000 prize but the market will be dominated by Pat Buckley’s Beaming Olive and Conor Fahy’s Tyrur Monica.
They were splendidly impressive in winning their semis and both are well drawn. A narrow vote is awarded to the progressive Tyrur Monica as she bids to provide Fahy with his first ever major bitch stake success. She will be his 30th finalist in a bitch stake and he has gone perilously close on many occasions.
We extend our sympathies to PJ who lost his mother Margaret (90) this week after a lengthy illness. She will be reposing at Divilly’s Funeral Home in Glenamaddy from 5.30 to 9 pm this evening with the funeral after 12 noon Mass tomorrow.
There is an extra meeting at Limerick this evening with the major attraction being the semi-finals of the Con Kirby Memorial Open 550.
It promises to be a very big weekend at Tralee with the semi-finals of the Kerry Group County Championship 550 and the Frank Thornton Retirement Stake on tomorrow. Then on Saturday a huge crowd is anticipated for the Tarbert Comprehensive School Benefit meeting which is raising funds for the building of a new gym.
The O’Connor family from Tarbert have donated a three month old dog pup by Christmas Box/ Lystoll Ash for auction during the night. There will also be live music after racing to complete a great night.
Top Irish bitch Mozzletoff has been bought by leading owner/ breeder PJ Fahy and will continue her career as Tyrur Mozzletoff.
Fahy doesn’t envisage retiring her to the breeding paddocks just yet. “I will probably put her away now for the year and give her a good break. We will try and prepare her for a good crack at the Oaks with just three or four races beforehand”.
Mozzletoff, a January ‘09 daughter of Head Bound and Bluetoon Megan, was only caught in the final inches of this year’s Oaks final when beaten a short head by Droopys Twirl and showed her well-being on Saturday night when clocking a brilliant 28.28 in winning the Makeshift At Stud Open Bitch 525 at Shelbourne.
TONIGHT’S card at Curraheen Park can start on a positive note, with Vieria Delta expected to land the nap in the first race.
The youngster was quite well beaten when second on his debut, but he showed plenty of all-round speed, and if he’s come on as much as expected for that outing, he should take a world of beating.
The dog that beat him on his debut, Malden Factor, has done plenty for the form — maintaining his unbeaten record with victory on both subsequent outings — and Vieria Delta can be expected to earn his maiden success at the expense of Diamond Glance.
