Friday 6 September 2019

IGOBF “Save Our Tracks” Monster Benefit Meeting


Shelbourne Park, Friday September 13th.

With a week to go, the organisers of the benefit meeting now call on the support of the entire greyhound racing community to help make this essential fundraising event a huge success.

GOBA delegates will be at tracks around the country over the next week with €10 General Admission Tickets for sale so please lend them your support.
All details for a range of sponsorship options are printed on these tickets and while the event has already received generous support, all avenues for sponsorship remain open including;
- Race name sponsorship @ €2000
- Greyhound Nominations @ €100
- Race Card Adverts @ €200

Payment options: PayPal- Federationfund100@gmail.com
Bank Transfers: A/C No. 27259733 Sort Code: 90 38 91
IBAN: IE10 BOFI 9038 9127 2597 33 BIC: BOFIIE2D
All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to support our tracks.

EVERY SINGLE CENT RAISED WILL GO DIRECTLY BACK INTO YOUR SPORT!

General admission tickets, @ €10 can also be purchased through the IGB Shelbourne Park web page on this link. https://www.igb.ie/park…/shelbourne-park-greyhound-stadium/…
**Make sure to purchase from the link labelled "IGOBF"!!! (On page 2)
If you haven't already got involved, please do over the coming week and be in Shelbourne Park on the 13th!
Thank You.


Sunday 2 June 2019

Great Global Greyhound Walk, Sunday June 9th


A worldwide initiative, the now annual Great Global Greyhound Walk takes place this coming Sunday across a host of countries and those wishing to participate in the initiative to promote the Greyhound and Sighthound breeds will find a host location which shouldn’t involve too much travelling.

Beginning in the UK in 2010, the event has grown year on year while extending it’s reach around the globe and is described by the organisers saying, “The Great Global Greyhound Walk is an annual dog-walking event that brings together greyhounds, lurchers, other sighthounds and their owners to raise awareness of the breeds and show the public just what wonderful pets they make.

“Become a part of the Great Global Greyhound Walk family, join in the fun and help us beat previous years totals whilst promoting greyhounds and all their sighthound cousins.”

Locations:

Limerick, Adare.

At present, there is a total of seven walks advertised in the Republic Of Ireland with some great locations and organised by many who will be known as tireless workers for the promotion of greyhounds as pets and for greyhound welfare.

All details and locations of your nearest walk can be found on the host website here at https://www.greatglobalgreyhoundwalk.co.uk/ and organised by ambassadors from within the greyhound racing community, the following are particularly recommended in support of the increasing drive within racing to promote greyhounds as pets.

One such location is Adare Co. Limerick where the walk is organised and hosted by well known welfare ambassador, Fionnuala Moloney Carey.

Address: Adare Park, Main Street, Blackabbey, Adare, co, limerick Ireland

Postcode:          V94 DWV7

Start time:          10am

Meeting point: Town Park, directly across road from Heritage Centre and Church

Contact:          Fionnuala Moloney, Walk Leader. 0866668776


Tralee

The Tralee event is hosted by Linsay Dowling at Tralee Town Park. Contact 0870972625.

Full details here: https://www.greatglobalgreyhoundwalk.co.uk/walks/tralee-county-kerry-ireland-walk/


Mullingar

The Mullingar event is hosted by Catriona Ni Duill at Mullingar Town Park. Contact 0879923818.

Full details here: https://www.greatglobalgreyhoundwalk.co.uk/walks/mullingar-co-westmeath-ireland-walk/











Wednesday 29 May 2019

The 2019 Greyhound And Petworld Golden Muzzle


Final Saturday June 1st
 
The reach of the Greyhound And Petworld extends right through the entire greyhound racing community from Dominic Magnone & Kathleen Murphy’s base in Abbeyfeale and nowhere more is their extensive support of racing more evident than at the final of their flagship event at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the prestigious 550 yard Golden Muzzle.

Attracting stars of the sport in recent seasons as a AA0 event, last year’s winner Crohane Ronnie thrilled patrons as the wonderful veteran repelled multiple classic winners Good News, who was then the defending Golden Muzzle champion, and Clonbrien Hero in thrilling fashion and although the 2019 event has seen the entry grade relaxed to A1, an exacting standard has been resoundingly upheld by a stellar cast of entries.

From the very outset, a host of runners would bid a swift farewell to the A1 grade as finalist Killaheen Queen set the standard in the opening heat of Round One when leading home Ballymartin Ron in a brilliant 29.81 for young owner Fintan McNamara. That winning time was matched in the very next heat when Mongys Hero defeated Moanteen Izzy by just three parts of a length but highlighting the competitiveness of the event, only the third qualifier from that hot contest, the Robert Malone owned Cabra Tango, has reached the final showdown!

Cheeky unbeaten brace on crest of a Wave

The remaining brace of winners from the first round will however enter the final with an unbeaten record in the event as both Cheeky Bob and Milesian Wave have been near flawless in their passage to the final.

Trevor O’Connell’s Cheeky Bob has been an early paced sensation within the Golden Muzzle and having led from trap to line in his opening 29.89, he would repeat the dose in last week’s semi-final when flashing from Trap 5 to again lead throughout as Cabra Tango gave game chase when just one and a half lengths adrift in a slick 29.81. Chasing this duo home in third, Killaheen Queen backed-up her smart first round effort when overcoming bumping from a poor draw in Trap 4 and losing little in her battling defeat, the sole remaining bitch must remain a major player ahead of the final.

Dominant in his opening night victory while posting 30.11, Patrick Conlon’s Milesian Wave was made to work a great deal harder to remain unbeaten in last week’s semi-final following a slower start from his favoured Trap 6 draw but he displayed all the attributes that patrons have come to admire about the Limerick regular as he gamely paced up on the outside of the field around the opening turns.

Locked in battle with Denis Murphy’s Callaway Colgan along the back-straight, a forceful sweep into the third bend ultimately secured victory for Milesian Wave as he briefly but very crucially forced his closest rival to check his stride. The verdict was still not fully secured however as Colgan rallied on the run to the line when only giving best by a head in a 30.25 thriller. Filling third here was Donal Healy & Michael Daly’s Toast Of Cabra, who was chasing Milesian Wave home for the second week in succession but only two and a half lengths adrift following second bend crowding, his final chances will not be forlorn.

Bob the percentage call?!

Final Draw: 1) Killaheen Queen 2) Callaway Colgan 3) Cabra Tango 4) Toast Of Cabra 5) Cheeky Bob (w) 6) Milesian Wave (w)

The obvious starting point ahead of final analysis is the unbeaten fastest semi winner Cheeky Bob and if reproducing the fast starts of previous rounds, he is going to prove extremely difficult to contain. A repeat draw in Trap 5 looks ideal for the likely favourite and he must remain the percentage call.

There is however plenty of viable opposition and he will firstly be required to repel the early attentions of Milesian Wave to his outer. Capable of a faster start than last week, the latter will need to at least match the favourite to the opening bend and although the clock says that Milesian Wave has time to find, a first bend lead would quickly negate any perceived deficit!

Having run Cheeky Bob so close a week ago, Cabra Tango has to retain realistic claims now and although the strong runner has pace to deal with to his inside, a pitch in behind any prospective leader to the back-straight would have all under pressure to contain his powerful late challenge. He may be required to contain Toast Of Cabra at trap rise as although tasting defeat in both rounds, the latter is another with the capability of leading and a minor shock would be very possible if turning first.

It would be easy to concentrate on the semi winners to the outside but the inner duo could well be ideally drawn in the context of the final. It was only a head that separated Callaway Colgan and Milesian Wave last time and Colgan of course has claims to dictate matters on the inside which would bring obvious chances of victory.

However, the most interesting draw of the final could well be Killaheen Queen and her 29.81 first round win must not be overlooked. Although an inside seed, she has not raced from Trap 1 since debut. Slower to stride last week, if indeed the red jacket sparks a return to her best breaking, she would hold every claim for victory. An intriguing final where Cheeky Bob gets this commentators narrow vote. Trio 5-1-6.

Magnone Memorial is Jet powered

The sponsorship stamp of the Greyhound & Pet World is also in evidence throughout the under-card to the 2019 Golden Muzzle final and highlights their generosity which extends across all grades of racing and to venues all over Ireland. Dearest to their hearts however in the annual Peter Magnone Memorial A3 525 Yard Stake which also reaches final stage now.

Named in memory of Dominic’s late nephew, it ranks among the most coveted of graded prizes at Limerick. Always competitive, Anna Carey’s Gower Jet has however been irresistible in the 2019 heats and is likely to start a short priced favourite to land the sponsor’s very special event following a blistering 28.57 semi-final display.

An annual celebration of the wonderful association between the Greyhound & Petworld and Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Golden Muzzle final night offers the opportunity to thank Dominic, Kathleen, Liam and all their staff for continued and unrelenting support of racing in Limerick.

Saturday Racecard Here

Tuesday 30 April 2019

Shining star Aishling honoured at National Garda Youth Awards



Ever important to make our greyhound racing community a welcome sanctuary for a younger generation who can build a bright future for all of us in the sport, that onus also extends into everyday life for when nurtured, there is no predicting what our promising youth could possibly achieve.

In the case of one teenager however, a bright future in whatever path is chosen by Aishling Rafferty is confidently predicted as those who have gotten to know the Ballinagarry Roscrea native in her formative years will have recognised the seventeen year old as a rare young gem.


Known to many of the greyhound community through her own family racers, as a working member of both Borrisoleigh and Nenagh Coursing Clubs or as the bright personality greeting patrons while working the turnstiles at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, Aishling’s wonderfully giving and selfless nature, that has brightened so many greyhound occasions, has also been recognised in her local community where she has been a tireless worker for those less fortunate than herself.

Nominated by Borrisokane Community College, Aisling was bestowed with a Divisional Garda Youth Award for work in her community but such is the extent of her selfless endeavours, the very first Garda National Youth Awards in 2019 saw Aishling honoured with a National Individual Award for “Making a positive contribution to her community, making it a better place to live.”

At the awards ceremony on Friday last, Sergeant Carol O'Leary spoke at length of the efforts made by Aishling saying; “Just some of her contributions include organising a Charity Walk to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society and a bus for the elderly in her community to visit Christmas markets.


“She visits elderly neighbours, her local Nursing Home and Day Care Centre to simply chat or play cards. Aishling is currently working towards a President Of Ireland Silver Gaisce Award and has been honoured with a Gold John Paul II Award.

“At present she is in Romania, volunteering with Habitat For Humanity having raised €3000 towards the venture and continues to fundraise for a cause that she fervently passionate about.

"A busy and pro-active young lady in her community, Aishling has a great sense of others and is selfless in responding to their needs.

“Nominators Elaine Dunne and Matthew Carr of Borrisokane Community College see her as a wonderful role model for her peers who creates a very positive image of young people in her community. She really does make a difference!”

Of course being in Romania at the time of the awards, Aishling was unable to be present to receive her award with dad John Rafferty accepting on her behalf at the Midlands Hotel in Portlaoise.

John; “Oh what can I say about her. She shies back from nothing and you would be all day writing a list of the things she has done! But, she had gotten her Divisional Award and that was brilliant for her. We were told that her name would be going forward then for the National Awards but honestly, we thought little of it really until we got a call and were told that there was good news coming.

“It really was a big surprise. It’s wonderful recognition for her. Listen, we’re very humbled over it and so is she. What can I say she’s that type of girl, she’ll do anything to help others. There just is no selfish in her. I suppose many at that age can be, so we are very lucky and of course very proud!”

Having missed the ceremony, Aishling arrived home from Romania on Sunday morning last but not one to rest for long, she accompanied her family to a Country Music and Dancing night at the Sherwater Hotel in Ballinasloe where greyhound friend Jimmy Buckley was providing the entertainment on stage.


John says, “Sure what youngster at her age would be swinging her dad around the dance floor to Country Music?! But anyway, she would know Jimmy through the greyhounds and we met him early in the night before he went on stage.

“We had been telling him about the award and that she was just back from Romania so what did he do only give a speech in the middle of his show about Aishling. He had it all off and she got a right ovation! So she has had a great weekend but in fairness to her, she deserves it!”

Whatever path she takes in life, all in the greyhound racing community will wish Aishling only the very best of luck at every turn. She may be selfless but we will selfishly hope that whatever lies ahead will always include us. Congratulations our Aisling!



Thursday 18 April 2019

2019 Kirby Nuggets!!!



In the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Final, Ballymac Tas will bid to become the first bitch to claim the title but how many bitches have reached the final to this point?

Well, in 2018 we had no bitch in the final but also from the Liam Dowling kennels, Coolavanny Pet was widest of six inside seeds when third in 2017.

In 2016, the beast that was Witches Belle finished 3rd behind Droopys Roddick before going on to win the Irish Oaks.

Our first bitch to reach the final was in the inaugural 2013 event when the brilliant Royal Diva was unlucky when baulked badly at the opening bends behind winner Roxholme Bully.

Final trap spread

Trap 4 has proven to be the winner's lucky box so far in Kirby finals. No longer the "coffin", three of the six winners wore black on final night. Cable Bay, Droopys Roddick and Bentekes Bocko. Oi Oi Toolmaker!!

Lemon Bolt

An absolute legend in the breeding stakes, Colin Rafter's Lemon Bolt will be represented by her son Toolmaker Josie in the 2019 final and this comes after two of her litter to Droopys Jet reached last year's showdown. First bend bumping saw them held in the back two positions but how higher up the standings can Josie get this week than Lemon Shane and Blue East managed a year ago?!!

Staying with Josie, trainer Robert Gleeson and owner William Hyslop have teamed-up with a finalist in the past. Remember the brilliant Droopys Braedon who ran fourth to Cable Bay in 2015?!!

Dowling Duo

2019 will not be the first time that Liam Dowling has had two runners in the Kirby final. Already mentioned, Coolavanny Pet ran third in 2017 but do you recall that she was joined by Borsalino who was sixth on the night?!!

Number Nine can be Golden??

Unless I've forgotten something obvious, I make this year and the final appearance of Herecomesdahoney a ninth Kirby finalist for Graham Holland. In fairness, we've only had three winning trainers after the exploits of Brendan Matthews and Pat Buckley but the Golden handler must be anxious to get over the line sooner rather than later in one of the few events that have eluded the kennels.

Previous finalists are: 2018 Slippy Cian, Blue East 2017 Drive On Tipp 2016 Riverside Oscar, Riverside Chip, Clares Rocket 2015 Rural Hawaii 2014 Vans Viking.



Tuesday 9 April 2019

KIRBY Splits Q/F



Quarter-final sectionals
They say three into two won’t go but in the quarter-final heats of the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick on Saturday, it was more a case of six into three will not go as a dramatic session of quarter-final heats saw supremely talented youngsters scrambling for precious qualifying places where victory became irrelevant while desperately seeking to keep Kirby dreams alive.

You could throw any amount of adjectives at a report on Saturday’s action but I’ve settled on brutal for it was quite scary as simply a racing fan to see this cast of stars thundering into a first bend when you knew that something had to give and that proper outright fancies were certain to be eliminated.


Aside from being capable of posting blistering clocks, it was the depth of talent amongst this cast of 2019 which ensured that this event was the most competitive of a seven year Kirby history and it was always going to reach a stage where some would simply have to cede. At quarter-final stage, we reached our pinch-point!

With so many survivors bearing a similar racing style, we struggled to get accurate sectional times on many for the opening 300 yards this week but those in the early paced bracket had already signalled their abilities before Saturday. Many in that mode were eliminated but an interesting aspect which is revealed below is that we now have a clear “strongest stayer” to focus on as Antigua Rum clearly emphasised how beneficial his stamina can be in an event with so many doing it the opposite way!

Next best in the staying department is Ballymac Tas and you could only be impressed further by her battling performance to qualify from a treacherous position behind Herecomesdahoney in Heat 4. She remains the fastest of the event while enhancing her claims despite defeat and offered relief to Liam Dowling for there should be no Kirby report written this week without offering best wishes to his Cuore Di Ferro. 

Gratefully completing the circuit after a fall in the opening heat when facing a nightmare Trap 6 draw, he all but secured qualification before tumbling at halfway. A fate he did not deserve and hammered home the precarious nature of these quarter-finals for a relieved attendance as he made his way along the home-straight.


*As always, only the leader's numbers at the respective marks are set in stone while those behind are calculated but we have done this enough now to know that even when a touch off the mark, it really will be very minor. Remarks are offered to indicate that a particular sectional could have been faster with a clear run but again, use your judgement to assess how much any figure is affected and I would always assert that the figures here should be analysed while watching the videos to fully appreciate the splits in the context of how the race was run. Descending order from quarter-final on top in red to opening round on the bottom for each runner.

Heat 1 28.70


Deadly Diamond
16.22 bump
16.25 touch
16.62 ckd
12.48
12.57
12.36
Toolmaker Me Dad
16.58 bmp
16.15
16.10
12.22
12.21
12.17
Grangeview West
16.65 blk
16.12
16.00
12.33
12.44
12.25

You really have to hand it to this Michael O’Donovan winner who was made to battle for control of the rails at the opening bend. He needed to lead Toolmaker Me Dad to his inner for qualification hopes and even with a bump to his hinds on the run-up, he again displayed the early pace that keeps his realistic Kirby hopes alive.

Still without a completely clear passage to the 300 yard mark, it is fair to assume that he can pretty much match any of the field in the early part of the race. Excepting his better finishing split on the faster circuit for Round One, what the numbers do reveal is that his outright claims are polarised, in that he must reach the closing bends while in full command. 12.48 this week, and 12.57 a week earlier, won’t see him defend small halfway leads over many who remain to semi-final stage.

A first defeat for Toolmaker Me Dad and he simply wasn’t away well enough this time. Trainer Robert Gleeson had hinted that he wasn’t convinced his young star, although an inside seed, truly wants the red jacket but again, it came in handy this week for while reaching the bend on the inside of a line of four behind the leaders, he came off best from a bump when all but assured qualification at the top of the back-straight.

His poor start aside however, he does appear to be holding his form when you examine his finishing split. Three times now he has covered the closing 225 yards within five spots and they are the figures of a strong runner. He will hold claims in any company when front rank to halfway and the 300 yard figures he posted in the earlier rounds clearly show that he can be with the best to that point. Obviously still has a big say.

“We got the rub of the green tonight!” They were Michael Hogan’s words after his gutsy Grangeview West was the chief beneficiary following the fall of Coure Di Ferro. But she had earned that luck in her two brilliant opening successes and her performance here was a brave one, from a draw she really did not want.

Crowding and bumping saw her tail just about last at the crown of the bends and it was no mean feat to subsequently repel Winetavern Don on the run to the line. Back nearer her first round finishing split this week is encouraging and given her rails draw in the semi-finals, her figures from the previous rounds could well see her in the final if repeated.

Heat 2 28.54


Toolmaker Josie
16.28 ckd
16.34 touch
16.22 brush
12.26
12.55
12.33
Rattling Conor
16.52 ckd / bmp
16.36 ckd
16.57 ckd
12.44
12.52 ckd
12.26
Deadly Storm
16.58 crd / bmp
16.34 bmp
16.06
12.61
12.53
12.38 bmp

Another heat where the run to the bend was always going to be crucial and it worked in Josie’s favour that he was not amongst the leaders when reaching the corner. The concern here will be that he was essentially outpaced by three rivals on the run-up, but, only one of those managed to advance!

He was forced to check slightly before finding a gaping gap on the rails off the second turn but he was highly impressive thereafter. Overall, the figures suggest that he is in and around the 16.20 mark to 300 yards and with this being very close to a clear run, reveal that he is even paced throughout. Just like his kennel companion, that very respectable 12.26 finishing split says that he is taking the runs well and will give him every opportunity of converting if shading the lead beyond halfway but he will need draws to get the run with a few remaining that can lead him to the corner.

Mossie O’Connor’s Rattling Conor is developing an aura in the Kirby which almost exudes a defiant confidence in that they just can’t seem to knock him out. He has yet to find a clear run and we are in the dark as to what he could post for the opening 300 yards. He’ll have to trap and secure a path to show us at some point but what he has shown is flashes of real pace. He was crossed on the run-up here, bumped at the bend and was a bad fifth at the crown. Granted there was trouble for rivals ahead of him but once swinging off the second bend, he displayed a powerful turn of pace along the back-straight. Odd to assert after watching three rounds but he remains a little unexposed. A faster break however is going to be required…..and soon!


Michael O’Donovan managed to guide two through to semi-final stage from his team of four on Saturday and Gary Hannon won’t mind me reporting that he was beaming leaving Limerick as Deadly Storm delivered a second semi-finalist for the Bray owner. Storm was one of three first bend leaders here who raced in tight quarters while all impeding each other. 

Only fourth at halfway however, he battled gamely to qualify and he is another of the early pacers who retain the ability to dominate a heat when free to gallop the opening bends independently. I wouldn’t be over harsh on him for that 12.61 finish either because he has done better and had an awful amount of work done before reaching the closing stages this time. His Kirby plan is very simple, must lead and hang on!

Heat 3 28.39


Antigua Rum
16.41 crd
16.39
16.67 crd
11.98
12.19 ckd
11.98
Tullig Footpad
16.40 bmp
16.48 ckd
16.28
12.34
12.44 brush
12.35
Ballymac Syd
16.65 bmp
16.57 blk
15.93
12.14
12.33 crd
12.14

Simply not possessing the early pace of his rivals here, this heat fell just perfectly for the staying abilities of Tom O’Neill’s Antigua Rum. Sitting in a pocket behind the leaders having been tight for room on the approach, he ducked inward to cleverly find a run at the bends before delivering his powerful challenge on the outside from the second turn.

Up to this point, he was among a handful of runners capable of dipping under the 12.00 barrier coming home but with his fellow stayers losing out at quarter-final stage, notably Redzer Ardfert in this heat, he is now the strongest remaining in the event. We had noted here that his very solid 16.39 in Round Two was an ominous sign if indeed he could get the room to repeat it. His finishing kick will clearly convert victory every time he is front rank to halfway but that early figure is key.

With the heats being so competitive, and the semis likely to be the same, those capable of leading him are scrambling to execute their best race against similar types and as such are being forced to race in tight quarters. His lack of early dash in the context of this Kirby has now almost become an advantage and when considered that our fastest 300 yard split this week was 16.19, Antigua would be only three lengths behind approaching the third turn. No leader would want that and on a circuit that can prove very tiring over five rounds, Tom O’Neill has a challenger who is absolutely relishing the task.

Tullig Footpad ran here like he knew that the Pat Buckley dream of four in-a-row was resting solely with him. I’ve put bump after his opening split and while there was nothing obvious, I’m sure there was more than the odd touch as he competed in tight quarters to the back-straight. He showed smart pace to hit the front when swinging off the second bend and we know he can post faster figures. As with any of the early pacers in the quarters, he avoided a banana skin here but his 12.34 is respectable for an early paced runner and his Kirby task is simple from here on, he must return to his best breaking form and dictate for victories.



Liam Dowling could have been forgiven for thinking that his Kirby challenge was about to come to a crashing halt here as Ballymac Syd raced in last place at the crown of the bends when bumped upon turning. He again got himself out of trouble however with powerful back-straight pace before his confirmed strong running abilities secured qualification. 12.14 is very strong coming home and that seems to be his number. When added to his first round 15.93, that amounts to the figures of a classic winner so it is very straight forward from here, he simply must get back to the better break he showed in Round One because right now, he is struggling to implement his best race from Trap 6 as he is not showing enough on the run to the bend to clear the slick early pacers that remain.

Heat 4 28.30


Herecomesdahoney
16.19
16.24
16.45 brush
12.11
12.27
12.13
Spoofer
16.35 touch
16.18
16.17 ckd
12.16
12.32
12.28 bmp
Ballymac Tas
16.39 blk
16.10
16.01
12.13
12.13
11.96

On a night where the draw proved crucial, Herescomesdahoney had the best of it and he took full advantage when reaffirming his highly plausible Kirby credentials as the sole Graham Holland survivor.

The figures clearly indicate that he is growing within the event with his best splits both starting and finishing and, while not the fastest of the Kirby in either section, the sum total amounts to an even paced runner who when left to his own devices can be a classic contender in any company because has no weak point on any part of the circuit. Yes he has benefited from the red jacket in all three rounds but he broke very well here. You would naturally have concerns when drawn further out, which he will be this week, as many can go to the bend alongside him but his strength beyond halfway means that qualification is not dependent on leading. 12.11 will see him bearing down on many early pacers close home and if you weren’t convinced before this week, you must now be certain that he is a big Kirby player!

Philip Gough would probably have hoped for Spoofer to lead the winner on the inside here but it worked out quite alright when he didn’t. He essentially missed his break and we already know that his 300 yard figure can come down. Being on the rails, a minor brush at the first turn didn’t interrupt his gallop very much and what connections will be delighted to see is the improvement in his finish. Another for whom draws will be crucial and he will have to remedy this latest break. All in all, a very similar type of runner to the winner.

A first defeat for Ballymac Tas here but I suggested to Liam Dowling that she was as good as her opening round victory on Saturday, and I stand over that assertion. Edging left on the approach to the turn, she did remarkably well to keep her legs in what could have been a fateful bump at that point. She was devouring ground along the back-straight until forced to check behind Spoofer at the crown of the closing bends so her finishing split of 12.13 further emphasises her staying ability over 525 yards. She won’t want a draw like this again but this commentator will argue that she is still top dog in the Kirby with her better draw this week adding confidence to that claim.

Tuesday 2 April 2019

Warning over potential No-Deal Brexit!


IGB:-

Owners and trainers advised to prepare for potential changes to the movement of racing greyhounds in the event of a no-deal Brexit

Greyhound owners and trainers across Ireland are being advised to prepare for potential changes to the movement of racing greyhounds between Ireland and the UK, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The Irish Greyhound Board has been consistently engaging with the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM) on the issue, with further consultations taking place this week. The DAFM has an information note on the event of a no-deal Brexit which can be viewed here: www.agriculture.gov.ie/brexit/preparingforbrexit/pettravel/

From these consultations, it has been established that the requirements for a greyhound to be micro-chipped and to have an EU pet passport which certifies vaccinations against rabies will not change.

Owners and trainers intending to race greyhounds in upcoming UK events are advised to ensure that rabies vaccinations, as certified on the pet passport, are in date. In addition, a rabies titration test, i.e. a blood test, at least 30 days after vaccination is required. Owners and trainers are advised to consult with a veterinary surgeon in relation to the testing procedure.

Furthermore, a greyhound returning from the UK to Ireland in a ‘no deal’ scenario will require to be treated for tapeworms by a vet from one to five days before their re-entry date. Any greyhound going to the UK will have to be treated and certified by a veterinary surgeon in Ireland before travelling to the UK, only being allowed to return to Ireland up to a maximum of five days post treatment.

Advance notification of returning to Ireland with racing greyhounds from the UK in a ‘no deal’ scenario will need to by given to the DAFM via email.

Denis Healy, Veterinary Director with the Irish Greyhound Board, commented: “There is going to be change throughout almost all sectors in Ireland in a post-Brexit scenario. The greyhound industry is no different.  Engaging with stakeholders throughout the industry on Brexit, as the IGB and the Department has been doing, is helping address the uncertainty within the industry and deliver on a workable framework should  Brexit happen. In any possible Brexit deal, a ‘lead in’ period to the imposition of any new regulations will be required for Irish greyhound owners and trainers to be fully compliant with the requirements in the short term.”

213 greyhounds raced in the UK before returning to race in Ireland in 2018.

For further information, please contact:

Josh Prenderville

Communications Officer

Irish Greyhound Board

Green Park |Dock Road,

Limerick.

V94 Y17Z
Phone: 061 448126

Mobile: 085 2542120

Email:  josh.prenderville@igb.ie | www.igb.ie


Friday 29 March 2019

KIRBY BETTING

Friday March 29th (Round 2)

No surprise to see a shake-up in the market after the opening round of the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial and not much sign of a mistake on the bookies part but still a few interesting musings before we get the action going in Round Two.

Riverside Leo has been shortened from 9's into 6/1 and fair enough, he is the fastest early pacer. However, examination of our sectional review Here reveals a finishing split last week that should be a concern for anyone taking that short price. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he can lower his finish split but I would suggest that he will have to. If you are on already, that is the one aspect that you would like him to improve this week.

Others like Toolmaker, Syd and Tas have naturally been snipped and all would warrant support should they be your choice but I find it a little interesting that they have eased Tullig Footpad out to 12/1 from 9's. Myself, I was very impressed with him in victory last week and I wonder are the bookies omitting to factor in that Thursday's going was slower than Saturday's?

Another one to drift is Spoofer and I do find this quite surprising. Yeah he was beaten after poking his head in front off the final bend but it was a bump affected time, he had done an awful lot of running to get to Deadly Storm and he had his worst draw out in Trap 6. He has a real buckle on his paws this week but I did not think that last week's showing merited a drift in the market and I'd be telling anyone who fancied him at 12/1 to go again at 16's.

There was a nibble at Mucky Brae last week and look where he is now, 12's form 50's! A similar story with Glengar Mac, early support justified and he is in to 14/1 from 40's.

The rest is pretty much what you would expect but anyone, anyone?...who did give El Favor a second look after I put him up as a Hail Mary outsider last week, would have been fairly impressed with his performance? He hasn't budged from 40's and the way he came home last week will make him very difficult to eliminate. I might have another nibble for the craic!

Of my two against the field before commencement, I lost one but the other was Ballymac Syd......and I'm hardly going to go back on that now! #Whooosh

Betting ahead of Rd 2, all quoted.

Riverside Leo
10/1,9/1
6/1
Toolmaker Me Dad
12/1
8/1
Ballymac Syd
16/1,10/1
8/1
Ballymac Tas
16/1
8/1
Tullig Footpad
10/1,9/1
12/1
Mucky Brae
50/1,33/1,14/1
12/1
Killer Bee
14/1,12/1
14/1
Cabra Firmino
16/1
14/1
Glengar Mac
40/1,25/1,20/1
14/1
Cuore Di Ferro
25/1,20/1
16/1
Spoofer
12/1
16/1
Manuka Man
20/1
16/1
Worseforwear
25/1,20/1
16/1
Deadly Diamond
33/1,20/1
16/1
Deadly Storm
16/1
Sure Look Listen
25/1
20/1
Skywalker Wonder
16/1
20/1
Rattling Conor
25/1
Redzer Ardfert
40/1
25/1
Argentina
20/1
25/1
Grangeview West
50/1
25/1
Winetavern Don
25/1
Camps Star
33/1
Droopys Danny
33/1
Ballydoyle Valor
25/1
33/1
Claregalway Lad
33/1
Herecomesdahoney
40/1
Droopys Sim
40/1
Vigorous Luke
25/1
40/1
El Favor
40/1
Jirano Classic
40/1
Antigua Rum
33/1
40/1
Laughil Josh
40/1
50/1
Toolmaker Josie
50/1
Milking It
50/1
Boherna King
50/1
Jaytee General
66/1
Toast Of Cabra
66/1
Likely Gift
66/1
Ardmulchan
66/1
Smart Bolt
50/1
66/1
Adis Abebba
40/1
66/1
Killahan Wonder
66/1
West Tip
66/1
Izzys Legend
50/1
66/1
Garrai Rua
100/1
66/1
Great Eastern
100/1
Burren Ripple
100/1

Tuesday 19 March 2019

THURSDAY HEAT BY HEAT GUIDE - KIRBY ROUND 1


The extra entry for this year's Kirby adds some real spice to the regular Thursday SIS meeting on the Dock Road this week and although at the back-end of the card, no-one will be leaving early ahead of the opening three heats in the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial as there are some serious outright contenders amongst the 18 hopefuls who will open their campaigns ahead of Saturday's thirteen race Kirby programme.

HEAT 1


DROOPYS DANNY Templeglantine GAA
Without a win but laudable efforts in TRL Juvenile. Stays well, LMK can suit in ideal T1.

SURE LOOK LISTEN Ballylanders Ladies Football
Warm order for WFD unraced final when held but fast heat wins suggest big prospect.

BALLINTEE BLAZE Fr. Caseys GAA
Very smart unraced stake winner WFD, back from layoff. Big scope to improve, market!

DROOPYS MAC Pallasgreen GAA
Looked a prospect in UK career start. Any progress from latest trial can see bold show.

DROOPYS SIM Ahane GAA
A touch unlucky latest but prior NWB Bitch unraced heat win impressed, must respect.

LENSON ROBIN Monaleen GAA
Smart career start & showed big pace in defeat latest. Will rush to bend if trap, chance!


























A cracking heat to open the 2019 Kirby and if able to recapture the smart trapping shown in his opening career victories, Paul Kiely's Sure Look Listen could easily have claims to dictate and prove difficult to reel-in if on the bunny.

The welcome UK challenge gets underway here with Paul Young's Droopys Mac and any progress from his latest trial will see him with claims despite a tricky looking draw on the inside of Droopys Sim, although both of these may be glad to be on the inside of Lenson Robin who certainly looked as though he wanted the outside when still running a touch green last time.

The latter possesses powerful pace however and when the penny fully drops, appears to have a big run to come. It would come as little shock should Ballintee Blaze build on his smart novice stake success if sharp after a layoff and he must command respect but for the winner, it may pay to side with last year's winning trainer. Droopys Danny has been showing plenty of pace off slow starts while reaching the Juvenile final at Tralee and a first time pitch on the rails may prove ideal to sneak a run at the opening bends here. 1-2-4

HEAT 2


TIGER JACK Old Christians GAA
Out of luck latest but quality spin around TRL prior says big talent & T1 looks real plus!

BURKIES ARMY Askeaton GAA
Solid career start in warm WFD novice & smart show again latest, more to come, respect!

BALLYMAC DEVON Killeedy GAA
Ran a cracker with plenty traffic in Juvenile final latest. Strong runner if big player here.

TULLIG FOOTPAD  Athea Ladies Football
Highly progressive career start & in cracking form latest. Tough to repel if lead to bend.

CAMPS STAR Monagea Ladies Football
Quality career start in UK & powerful runner can relish LMK if step up on latest trial spin.

GARRAI RUA Cappagh Handball
Better than figures in LMK debut latest after smart CML career start. Can feature if trap.

You just can't expect anything easy in the Kirby and finding winners in the opening heats is going to be trappy but it may pay to side with the extra experience and rock solid form that Tullig Footpad has posted in a very progressive career start. Beaten by a fellow Kirby contender at Shelbourne last time was no disgrace in a flying clock and if he can get loose on the run to the corner now, you would expect him to convert.

There is plenty to like about many of his rivals however and Ballymac Devon did leave the impression that he could be capable of big runs when third in the Tralee Juvenile. He may again have a job on to secure clear racing room but would be a big threat if he did see the hare throughout.

I didn't see Camps Star's trial on Saturday and would have expected a faster effort from the Paul Young star, so maybe there was something to explain the clock there but no doubt his career start in the UK makes him a very interesting Kirby contender and you would expect that his strong running style will suit Limerick well.

Jim Morrissey's Tiger Jack was another with excuses with eliminated from the Juvenile but his fast second round heat win there clearly hints a major ability and could well make use of his rails pitch if swift to stride. 4-3-5

HEAT 3


WORSEFORWEAR Feohanagh Castlemahon Ladies Football
Quality winner of WFD novice stake looks big prospect. Likely ideal draw for LMK debut.

CLAREGALWAY LAD Ballybricken Bohermore GAA
Unbeaten in 4 with smart Trial Stake win latest. Big early battle vs T1, chance if win that.

FOOD TO GO Caherline GAA
Rapid progress to slick novice final win latest. Makes quick switch for Kirby, respected.

ACE THE RACE Effin GAA
Held but far from disgraced latest & any progress from SPK best would bring claim now.

HERO TO ZERO Dromcollogher Broadford GAA
Improved for return from layoff in slick Trial Stake win. Powerful & hard to repel if trap.

ARGENTINA Galbally GAA
Cracking strike-rate in quality UK career start & looks sure to feature from perfect draw.

Another quality heat that should attract many to the Dock Road for an out of the ordinary Thursday meeting and the natural starting point is the fastest Limerick Trial Stake winner Hero To Zero. The Pat Curtin youngster was superb here when posting 28.39, almost three weeks ago and earns the vote.

He may however have to sweat for an early run for while the venue will certainly suit his strong running style in the overall Kirby picture, he is likely to be doing his best work from the second bend so investment at short odds for heat wins should be approached with caution. Still, he would be a runner for an outright flutter as I expect him to prove difficult to keep out of the places.

Peter Cronin's recent Waterford novice stake winner Worseforwear is an obvious threat and probably has his ideal draw on the fence. A bold show is expected and he rates the main threat but he will have to be sharp for although Claregalway Lad has not yet broken the clock, he screams imminent improvement as a member of a smart litter and possesses slick early dash which gives him claims to possibly lead in what may be a tight tussle on the inside.

Following a string of top class displays for Kevin Hutton in the UK, most particularly at Romford, Argentina returns home for a plausible tilt at the Kirby under the guidance of Martin Lanney. Ideally drawn, he looks a natural wide seed (as last year's winner was) and his smart early dash could well see him lead the likely favourite on the outside. Another serious contender in a hot heat where the rapidly improving Food To Go must too merit respect despite a very tricky looking draw. 5-1-6