Money galore but huge Opinion tilt goes astray
THE Shelbourne ring was ‘awash’ with money on Saturday night, according to leading layer Ted Hegarty.
He said: “There has not always been big cash there this year, but things have taken off during the Derby and there was plenty of business for the quarter-finals.
The biggest punt of the night was for Definate Opinion, who was eliminated in the fourth heat.
On-ice Skater is back with smart trial workout
GROUP SKATER, a Derby semi-finalist last year, returned to action with a slick trial at Shelbourne Park before racing on Saturday.
Paul Hennessy’s stayer beat Willie Frew’s sprinter Judicial Devil a length in 19.03 for the 350 metres.
Skater, who landed the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket over eight bends at Crayford in February, has not raced since mid-July.
Exciting line-up for Texacloth final
ALL roads will lead to Newbridge this evening (Friday) for the eagerly-anticipated final of the 2010 €10,000 Texacloth Newbridge Puppy Derby Open 525, which carries a prize of €4,000 and trophy for the eventual winner.
Racegoers have been treated to a feast of top-class fare in this competition over the past few weeks and the final line-up is testament to the quality of greyhound involved.
Brian McCann’s Kerrydale Lar overcame a slow start to power home in his semi-final for a two-length victory over Lolos Joe in a time of 28.83, with Forest Kaiser running off after encountering trouble behind for third.
In the second semi-final Seamus Graham’s Tolerton Crasher maintained his unbeaten record in the stake when securing his third win in a row over course and distance when scoring in a time of 28.65 from the fast-starting Shoemakers Lad, with What A Tornado taking the final qualifying place.
Trials start for Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Greyhound Laurels
THE big one of the year, the Irish Greyhound Laurels, gets underway at Curraheen Park on Friday and Saturday, September 17 and 18.
With last year’s prizemoney levels being maintained due to the huge effort made by Pat Hennerty and his back-up team, all the big guns are expected to compete and some great nights’ racing lie in store for patrons.
Four nights’ racing at Thurles
THURLES will stage four nights of racing over the space of a week starting with the usual meeting tomorrow, Friday, September 3, first race at 8.02pm.
Ruso flying at stud
With most of the attention on his brother Ballymac Under (who won a very hot quarter-final of the Derby last Saturday) Ballymac Ruso is doing very well at stud at Newpark, having mated more than 60 bitches in eight months.
Hunt supporters deliver powerful message
Countryside Alliance Ireland members rallied to support hunting during a recent opinion poll carried out on Cork’s 96FM radio station.
The result of the opinion poll was over 12,000 votes in support of hunting with just 147 votes (1% of those voting) in favour of a ban on hunting.
