It’s a good Hare day in Glin
John Barry reports on the National Meeting
THE 87th National Coursing Meeting this week provided yet another resounding endorsement for a quite remarkable sport, hugely vibrant through thorough organisation, exceptional public support and amazing involvement by the rural community especially, and nothing showed up the face of coursing better than the fare that was served up for a massive crowd on Wednesday when new champions were crowned in the great gladiatorial venue that is Powerstown Park.
Supreme amongst eight champions were Go Home Hare, brilliant winner of the Boylesports.com Derby for a 12-man syndicate from Glin, and equally brilliant in capturing the Greyhound and Pet World Oaks was Dale Roisin, owned and trained by Brendan Farrelly of Raharney, Co. Westmeath, a member of the executive of the Irish Coursing Club for the past 15 years.
All the drama was played out on a beautiful sunny day and it was entertainment of the highest order from start to finish, though the Derby final did prove something of an anti-climax because of a runaway victory for Go Home Hare against a seemingly injured Blueview Sam; and there was no final to the Classics Club Champion Stakes with Kyle Ranger, last year’s beaten Derby finalist, being declared the winner because of the withdrawal of kennelmate, Kyle King, both of which are owned and trained by Mrs Marie Field of Limerick.
Powerstown Park is, of course, all about pace, stamina and guts, as well as required luck in running, and those three virtues lie at the heart of every classic success. The performances by both Go Home Hare and Dale Roisin demonstrated this most forcibly and both richly deserve the plaudits that are now falling their way.
National Meeting 2012 Roll of Honour
Boylesports.com Derby
GO HOME HARE
Breeding: Wallace Green – Inallherglory
Owner: Mel Syndicate
Breeder: Mr Brian Kennedy
Trainer: Dessie Kerrigan
Droopys jets off for six of the best
DROOPYS JET can complete a sensational six-timer in the final of the Joe Dunne Memorial over 525 yards at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Fraser Black’s runner is unbeaten in five starts and again looks to have a cracking draw in trap one.
The son of Slip The Lark clocked the fastest time in the opening round with 28.60 and last week rode a first-bend bump to score in 28.84. He is expected to be soon calling the shots.
Attendance, cash surplus up for IGB in 2011
ATTENDANCES at Irish greyhound tracks were up last year and the IGB’s cash surplus for 2011 was €3.15 million, compared to €2.88 million the previous year.
Announcing figures for 2011 this week, the IGB said that 756,561 went through the turnstiles, which was an increase of 22,632 on 2010. Attendances at all IGB-owned tracks for 2011 (542,559) were up 6.93% on 2010 (507,383).
The IGB delivered an overall cash surplus level of €3.15 million, up 7.6% compared to €2.88 million in 2011.
The board said that savings from operational effectiveness programmes significantly outweighed higher input costs such as energy and insurance.
And they added that prizemoney grants will be increased by 3.5% on an overall basis in 2012 compared to 2011 levels.
Vetsearch final comes Calling for super Spice
CALLING SPICE can maintain her grip on the Vetsearch Recharge Open with victory in the semi-finals over 525 yards at Limerick on Saturday.
Graham Holland’s bitch has been in cracking form, winning four of her last five, and clocked the quickest time of each of the first two rounds with 28.27 and 28.31.
The Ballymac Maeve bitch has been fortunate in the draw as she misses all last week’s winners and she should soon have matters in hand.
Flyer can rise to the Guinness challenge
RISING FLYER can extend his winning run to five in the second round of the 48th Annual Guinness Trophy over 525 yards at Cork on Saturday.
The son of Ace Hi Rumble, who has won half of his 26 career races, is in the form of his life and beat the useful Burgess Star by over four lengths last week in 28.89.
He has a brilliant draw in six and can dominate throughout. Kranky Ma and Paid Paddy look the main threats.
Limerick hots up as A5 Stake gets underway
This Friday’s card at Limerick features the first-round heats of the €2,500 Bennett Oil A5 525, with the overall winner to receive €1,000 and a trophy.
Saturday night’s card features the two semi-finals of the Vetsearch Recharge Open 525, with the overall winner to receive €4,000 and a trophy.
Linehan’s loyal Lad set for another Easter egg-ercise
JOHN LINEHAN is planning a return crack at the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park with weekend hero Broadstrand Lad.
The April 2008 railer gave a powerful performance to beat an awkward trap four slot and take the €7,000 Tyrur Mcguigan @ Stud 575 at the Dublin track on Saturday.
Best wishes to much-missed Gerry McCarthy
MANY of those at Powerstown Park for this week’s National Meeting missed having a chat with Gerry McCarthy, who was absent through illness.
Dowling Memorial at Tralee
THIS Friday’s card at Tralee features the first-round heats of the John and Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 current 570.
On Saturday, the track will have an all-graded programme and will be showing the eagerly-awaited Dublin versus Kerry National League game from Croke Park on screens throughout the stadium.
