Big guns face off in Derby
A SENSATIONAL draw in the Boylesports Derby sees two of the top trainers going head to head with both of their guarded runners.
Pa Fitzgerald trains Path Of Peace and Prime Example for owner Patsy Byrne and this pair are drawn to meet Offshore Eoin and Wise Call, which Ian Reilly trains for joint owners Brendan Keogh and Gavin Johns.
Undoubtedly the big clash is between Path Of Peace and Offshore Eoin and the winner will be a strong contender to win the third quarter.
There’s another mouth-watering buckle in this quarter, which sees Uptown Abu facing Solid Monk.
Belated Birthday has been heavily supported with the sponsors Boylesports and he looks nicely drawn in the top quarter. He could go off as favourite. Blueview Dan might survive the second quarter, with Hunters Glory a likely danger.
The bottom quarter looks extremely hot with three strong fancies. Blueview Sam, Cuddly Man and Ashmore Master all housed there.
Sam, Dreams in demand for Derby crown
BLUEVIEW SAM and Hopes And Dreams have both attracted attention with the sponsors for next week’s Boylesports Derby at Powerstown Park.
They laid €2,000 each-way Blueview Sam at 14-1 and €2,000 at the same price Hopes And Dreams. The pair have been cut to 12-1.
Broadstrand’s got his eye on Tyrur purse
BROADSTRAND BOY can further benefit from the generosity of sponsor P.J. Fahy in the wide open final of the Tyrur Mcguigan at Stud Open 575 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
John Linehan’s runner has a liking for the Fahy cash after taking the €4,500 Tyrur Kennels Stake over the same trip in Cork back in November.
The son of Hallucinate has been favourite for this event since the start and clocked the quickest time in the opening round with 31.10 and did 31.29 the following week.
He was beaten by Tyrur Willyjoe last week but is capable of a better start from trap four, where he has three wins from five starts.
Marathon can get job Dunne
Swift Marathon can triumph in the semi-finals of the Joe Dunne Memorial Stake over 525 yards.
Seamus Graham’s Puppy Derby finalist looked unlucky last week and this looks an ideal opportunity to atone.
Tyrur Sheehy and Swords Jacko look the main threats.
Milldean goes for Gold
MILLDEAN PANTHER’S connections are considering running their ten-out-of-ten superstar in the SIS Gold Cup which starts at Shelbourne Park on February 18.
The Shelbourne Park 525 track record holder ran ‘very well’ in a handslip last week and is getting another this week, as well as doing some galloping to get him ready to resume his racing career after spending the winter at stud.
IGB awards
THE Irish Greyhound Board National Greyhound Racing Awards will take place on Sunday, March 11, in the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone.
Spice is Calling the shots
CALLING SPICE can make it four wins from her last five outings in the Vetsearch Recharge Open 525 at Limerick on Saturday.
The Christmas Oaks third was ultra-impressive last week when scoring a five-lengths victory over Colorful Champ in 28.27.
They meet again in the final qualifier and the Graham Holland-trained bitch can soon be in the driving seat.
Fiesta time for Camas
CAMAS can land a wide-open final of the Festival Open Unraced Stakes over 525 yards at Clonmel on Tuesday, the feature event of Coursing Week.
Owen McKenna’s runner has improved with each outing in the stake and last week made all to defeat Skip Soda by half a length in 28.63.
The Head Bound dog has cracking early pace and out in front will be the place to be in this very competitive decider.
Awards get Clonmel’s big week off to great start
CLONMEL Track Supporters’ Club will hold their first greyhound awards night during racing this Sunday, January 29, 2012.
The winners are: Dog of the Year: Greenane Bingo, owned by Tony Nugent, Clonmel. Bitch of the Year: Eternal Magic, owned by Leslie Robert Kavanagh, Clonmel. Lady owner: Maria Byrne, Dysert. Gentleman owner: Matt O’Donnell, Killenaule. Trainer: Tom O’Neill, Castletownroche. Hall of Fame: Jimmy Kelly, Ballingeary and Tony Nugent Senior, Clonmel.
Paddy planning a Golden future with dour Droopys
IRELAND has fared well in the forthcoming Ladbrokes Golden Jacket (714 metres) at Crayford over the past few years and Droopys Alexus aims to improve that record.
Paddy Kilduff trains the Ace Hi Rumble bitch, who is an out-and-out marathon performer and will stay every metre of the distance.
She was just three spots off the Mullingar 810-yards record when winning there last month.
Kilduff told the Sporting Press: “We will be entering her for the Golden Jacket, although it is more of a fact-finding mission and 714 metres might be a bit on the short side for her.
“We want to introduce ourselves to the UK system, because we plan a couple of more trips.”
