Hare netting licence granted
Preparations for new coursing season underway
THE news all coursing supporters have been waiting for has arrived. Minister for the Environment Mr John Gormley has signed the netting licence for the coursing season of 2010/2011, permitting clubs to net hares from August 14, 2010.
The ICC and affiliated clubs welcome the timely issuing of the licence, as this facilitates a more planned approach in preparing for all elements of staging a successful coursing meeting.
As an appetiser to clubs commencing their netting duties, Powerstown Park will host a Hare Seminar on Saturday, August 7, at 11am. The seminar will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, updates on hare husbandry experiences since last year’s event and will conclude with a walking tour of the Clonmel hare parks, back run and boxing area.
Latest Ladbrokes.com Derby news: Derby punters have strong Opinion
DEFINATE OPINION has been the big ante-post mover with the sponsors this week for the Ladbrokes.com Derby at Shelbourne Park.
Richard Harkness, odds-maker for the new backers of the €120,000-to-the-winner annual, told the Sporting Press on Tuesday evening: “He is the one in demand on the back of his Dundalk International win and a fast 28.29 trial at Shelbourne over the weekend.
“The dog has been laid to lose around €50,000 at 25-1 and is now a 20-1 chance.”
Carib’s the chosen one
CARIB KING can capitalise from a cracking draw in the final of the Thurles Fresh Milk Tipperary Cup over 525 yards at Thurles on Sunday.
Graham Holland’s runner, which won the Catunda Harry Champion Stakes at Youghal last year, has a draw to die for in trap one in this all-railer line-up.
The son of Top Honcho ran a great race in the quarter-finals when leading all the way to beat Chicken Supper by three and a half lengths in 28.72 and last week overcame a slow start to eventually dead heat with Shelbourne Dawn in 28.79.
Carib King is somewhat of a trap one specialist, having won 12 of his 17 races when wearing the red jacket, and looks the safest option in this classy decider.
Meeting swap
CLONMEL will switch from Sunday to Monday night next week to avoid a clash with Thurles, which stages the final of the Tipperary Cup on Sunday.
First race at Clonmel on bank holiday Monday will be at 7.30pm.
ICC nomination
ANN QUINLAN has been nominated for the position of Treasurer of the Irish Coursing Club, and the current Treasurer, John Egan, has also been nominated.
Classic can hit the Target
FOUR runners, unbeaten in the event so far, meet in the second heat of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup over 400 yards at Dundalk on Monday.
Quickest heat winner Sheepwalk Mac and last week’s fastest scorer Target Classic are joined in the line-up by Mythical Light and last year’s runner-up Yes Boss. Add in Slick Citi and Exotic Diamond and you have a field worthy of the final.
Target Classic is given a narrow vote as he’s drawn inside his main rivals.
Be chirpy about Cricket’s Puppy Oaks prospects
JIMNEY CRICKET can hit her rivals for six in the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Irish Puppy Oaks over 525 yards at Harolds Cross tonight (Friday).
Michael Mulleady’s runner was impressive last week when leading all the way to beat Gogetemclaire by four lengths in 28.91, which was the quickest time of the session.
Her 3.18 split time reads well and she’s expected to forge clear on the run-up and go beyond recall.
Limerick trip to Tipp
NOW that the Markets Field has closed, the first of the Limerick meetings at Thurles took place on Tuesday, July 27, and there’s a Limerick meeting again at Thurles this Friday, July 30. It is envisaged that there will be five more Limerick meetings at Thurles up to Tuesday October 31.
Owners and trainers wishing to run their greyhounds on these nights must contact the Limerick racing office reception at 061 – 448041.
Dotcom partnership paying rich dividends for Jiggly
THE Courtney family have been enjoying some happy nights recently courtesy of their pups by Barney Dotcom out of Jiggly Puff.
Sinead Courtney is the owner of Jiggles Dotcom, which did 28.75 at Lifford on Sunday night.
She’s just one of the successful 2008 litter, which now have 26 wins between them.
Friday night winner completes the set
AT the sixth time of asking, July 2008 whelp Dukes Legend came from well off the pace to open his account in the opening contest at Kilcohan Park in 29.52 last Friday night. So what’s unusual about that you may ask?
Well, Dukes was the fifth member of the Razldazl Billy ex Cailin Liath litter to score on the track. Owned by Jackie Roche from Waterford city, Cailin Liath had five dogs and two bitches to Razldazl.
Two of the dogs failed to make it to the track, suffering fatal injuries, but the remaining three dogs and two bitches have all passed the winning post in front in competitive races.
