Dear Pa and Bubbly Phoenix’s absence shake up betting market
That all changed in the last day or two however with the news that both Dear Pa and Bubbly Phoenix won’t be taking their place in the second round.
Both greyhounds would have been well-fancied to go far, but a slight injury ruled out Dear Pa, while Bubbly Phoenix has been ruled out because of kennel cough.
It means Razldazl Will and Rattlin Goldstar remain at the head of the market despite suffering defeat in the opening round. In truth neither had any chance of opening their challenge with a victory after they came together in the opening yards. A week on the pair will meet again in the last of the six second round heats. And once again it looks a mouth-watering clash, made ever tastier by the presence of impressive opening round scorers Paradise Martini and Farloe Noah.
Fastest opening round winner Carba Noel has been handed a kind draw in Heat 2 where he will take on the likes of Swift Marathon and Ruthless Man. The Graham Holland trained Cabra Noel has the best of the draw on the fence and looks likely to start a warm favourite.
Meanwhile the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake will be joined by two new stakes from next week onwards. Commencing on Saturday week will be the 24 bitch €4,000 Christmas Oaks and the same night the 12 dog €1,000 Rockchase Bullet @ Stud Open 525. The four nights per week schedule will commence at the Dublin tracks from next week with Shelbourne racing on the first three Fridays of December and Harold’s Cross on the first three Saturdays.
On the subject of Harold’s Cross, one of their traditional end of season competitions, the Tote Gold Collar, gets underway on Friday and there are some big names amongst the entry. The opening round has thrown up some interesting clashes, most notably that of defending champion Ballymac Tipp and Champion Stakes winner Uncle Eoin.
It should be a big occasion at Curraheen Park tomorrow evening when Munster show jumping stage their annual fundraiser. Then tomorrow it will be the postponed first round heats of the Beamish & Murphys A2 Stakes as well as the first round of the Gain Feeds A1 Stake. Next Friday there will be a Gala Sponsored Meeting In Aid Of Upper Glanmire Community Association and entries are invited for (Backgraders Allowed) Open 525, A1 550, A2 525, A4 575, A5 550 and A3 525.
Entries close on Saturday for a Novice 750 to be run next Friday while the 24 dog €900 Bothar A6 Racedogs (No Bg) Stake will commence next Thursday.
Saturday’s meeting at Limerick will be a fundraiser for Clare County Camogie Board and a huge crowd is anticipated.
There will be five sponsored races, the feature race being the Abbey Tavern Quinn A4 525 which involves six County Clare greyhounds.
Tomorrow’s meeting at Tralee will feature the first round heats of the Greyhound and Petworld/Gain Kingdom Derby. Then on Saturday they will have a night with a difference because in between races we have a fashion show in aid of the Irish Cancer Society with all the top shops in Tralee participating and this will take place in the Grandstand Restaurant area. Tickets cost €10 (includes admission and race card) and can be purchased from the track all this week on 061 448055 and is being organised by Kelly O’Connell and Aislinn Dowling.
The final of the Gain Fees Open 725 promises to be a cracking contest at Kilkenny on Friday where local runner Welesbourne Dan is the likely favourite and winner. However there is guaranteed to be stiff opposition from the likes of Air Force Ellie, Killough Harry, St Mullins Pride, Pachacuti and the very fast but slow starting Droopys Alexus. The card will also include the heats of the Springhill Court A4 where Marie Byrne’s Dysert OGara was the first round star, and the John Mitchell A3/4 Stake.
Tomorrow’s meeting at Waterford will be an all sponsored affair courtesy of track bookmaker Michael Meade and the Waterford Track Supporters Club. Then on Saturday there will be a fundraiser for Carrickshock GAA Club and there will be a couple of finals.
Entries close at Clonmel on Tuesday for the 24 dog €1,325 Greenane Kennels A1 (Bg) 550 and then on Thursday for the 24 dog €700 Drohans Bakery A2 (No Bg) 525 and the 24 dog €800 Veterans A4 525.
