m a n a b o u t d o g b l o g

NGRC Opens: Damsires Chart Nov 2008

1. Staplers Jo 603 winners

2. Top Honcho 511

3. Larkhill Jo 489

4. Spiral Nikita 459

5. Toms The Best 323

*Courtesy of the Racing Post

Romford centre stage this week

The finals of the the Coral Romford Puppy Cup and the Coral Essex Vase will be run at the London Road track in Romford this week, and two great line ups they are too.  Droopys sires have totally dominated these two competitions this year - recent winners of these two prestigious stakes include Westmead Keawn, Fear Assassin and Knockeevan Magic in the puppies, and Eye Onthe Veto (twice), Eye Onthe Magic and Top Power in the Vase.

Friday 28th November

Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final: £8,000 to the winner

1. Masterful  (Droopys Corleone)
2. Deanridge Ammo (Droopys Maldini)
3. Droopys Quinta (Droopys Vieri)
4. Confident Kermit (Ballymac Maeve)
5. Droopys Richard (Droopys Maldini)

6. Droopys Goran (Droopys Scolari)

Tuesday 2nd December

Coral Essex Vase Final: £10,000 to the winner

NOT IN TRAP ORDER

• Bomber Blue (Droopys Vieri)
• Droopys Carvalho (Droopys Maldini)
• Bubbly Totti (World Class)
• Bubbly Rambo (Droopys Vieri )
• Brickfield Dream(Boherduff Light)

• Sherries Boy (Top Honcho)

 

Bucks Teddy

A record was set recently at Limerick when Bucks Teddy (Go Wild Teddy x Mottos Friend) won in 16.11 on his debut.  This was the fastest debut ever at the track, and the fastest run ever by a pup (I have amended the puppy records database accordingly).

This boy is owned by Ger O'Reilly in Killoscully, North Tipperary, and was bred and reared by Paul McCusker of Drumscraw Kennels.

One for the notebooks.

Breeding Prospect

If any of you readers fancy taking a chance at the old breeding game, a superb little prospect has come onto the market.

By Droopys Maldini out of Frosty Rose this August 2007 bitch is bred in the purple and available for a very reasonable fee.

For those of you not that up to speed with this breeding, Frosty Rose was the only litter sister of the legendary Late Late Show.   Frosty Rose is the dam of Digital (Track Record Holder at Thurles and rising stud) and Icy Joe (also at stud), thus making this bitch a half sister of these two dogs.

Contact me on the usual number or email me if you are interested.

Thurles Champion Bitch Stake Semi Finals

It's hotting up now down in Thurles, as we are down to the last 18 bitches.

Here's the semi final line up for Saturday night with 2 to qualify from each heat (1st Rnd and 2nd Rnd placings in brackets and sire) followed by best time in stake.

First Semi

1. Danmar Pudsy (1-1-Droopys Scholes) 28.72
2. Lassa Experience (2-1-Droopys Kewell) 28.92
3. Woodhill Spark (2-3-Premier Fantasy) 29.15
4. Lemon Razza (2-2-Mustang Yank) 29.21
5. Strangford Katie (5-3-Droopys Vieri) 29.28
6. Borna Del (2-1-Droopys Kewell) 28.92

Second Semi

1. Wilcos Sonia (1-2-Crash)28.94
2. Sadie Vieri (1-2-Droopys Vieri)28.89
3. Yagga Wagga (4-3-Ravage NY Ranger)29.43
4. Maireads Fantasy (3-3- Premier Fantasy)28.99
5. Lughill Jewell (4-1-Larkhill Jo)28.94
6. Her Eyesare Blue (3-2-Come On Lleyton)29.14

Third Semi

1. Hillcroft Josie (1-1-Larkhill Jo)28.76
2. Plan (1-3-Brett Lee)28.78
3. Cruise Code (3-3-Hot Cruise)29.17
4. Light Shift (1-1-Tucks Mein)28.82
5. Rising Smoke (1-2-Droopys Vieri)28.64
6. Semolina (3-2-Honcho Classic)29.27

A wide open stake still, with the third heat in particular likely to see a couple of big shots eliminated.  For the record I'd fancy Danmar Pudsy, Borna Del, Wilcos Sonia, Her Eyesare Blue, Hillcroft Josie and Rising Smoke to make up the final six, and then it's down to the draw.  Hillcroft Josie has a nasty draw this weekend and a lot will depend on Plan's exit from traps.

Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake

It must be the best collection of pups so far in this stake - widely regarded as the most important puppy stake in these islands.  The times clocked by the 11 heat winners in the first round were simply sensational, and it is a wide open stake.

On the sire front it is clear to see some of the young guns are starting to make a big impression on the Irish stud scene - I have put the sire of the winner in brackets. 

Ht 1: Fane Slasher 29.32 (HONDO BLACK)

Ht 2: Blue Starship 28.86(DROOPYS MALDINI)

Ht 3: Seamore Sam 29.14 (HALLUCINATE)

Ht 4: Skywalker Queen 28.92 (RAZLDAZL BILLY)

Ht 5: Pennys Oberon 28.57(BRETT LEE)

Ht 6 Faypoint Man 28.58 (YEAH MAN)

Ht 7 Fawn Express 28.55(CRASH)

Ht 8 Dilton Swift 28.79(DROOPYS SCHOLES)

Ht 9 Inny Blue 28.87 (HONCHO CLASSIC)

Ht 10 Soviet Maldini 28.67 (DROOPYS MALDINI)

Ht 11 Oran Empire 29.17 (DROOPYS MALDINI)

Aston bows out but holds his head high

The 2008 Irish Derby Winner and 2008 Irish Champion Stakes Winner Shelbourne Aston was elimated from the Golden Jacket Classic at Galway on Saturday night after being baulked at the first bend after a better than usual start from the blue brindle son of Just The Best and Queen Survivor. He will get a nice break now (well deserved) and probably serve a few bitches for the craic.

The competition looks to be wide open now, although Graham Holland's Broadacres Turbo is tearing up the track and will be a warm favourite. It is the sponsors who may have the biggest say though, as they own Mardocs O'Shea, Mardocs Heinze and Mardocs Nani, and all three dogs trained by Frances O'Donnell, have made the Quarter Finals.  The added bonus of having dogs in the same ownership is that they are 'guarded' in the draw and avoid each other in the Quarter Finals.

It should be an interesting night on Saturday, and I will be there.

First Quarter Final

1. Zontes Footstep
2. Toledo James
3. Droopys Teabag
4. Royal Treason
5. Imaal Master
6. Nawhobberthadda

Second Quarter Final

1. Mardocs Heinze
2. Full Bloom
3. Tyrur Laurel
4. Ask Amy
5. Kerrydale Celt
6. The Other Sonic

Third Quarter Final

1. Oakleaf Tom
2. Broadacres Turbo
3. Shaneboy Sophia
4. Lemon Zamora (DOUBTFUL)
5. Mardocs O'Shea
6. The Other Achill

Fourth Quarter Final

1. Slick Spiral
2. Burnpark Duke
3. Mardocs Nani
4. Skywalker Dream
5. Elouisa
6. Tyrur Lee

Runner update and news of a few winners

I haven't anything running at present - Bantiss Annie is recovering from a minor injury - and anything else of racing age has been sold, with the exception of Bantiss Rescueme and Bantiss Skippy, who are about to start training in preparation for either the IGB Open Unraced Stake at Clonmel or the Mike Cronin Juvenile Classic at Tralee.

Bantiss Allblack(left) and Bantiss Dermot are having their final grading trials at Romford today for Maxine and Steve Locke - I think these are a couple of nice pups.  Their brother Winch Woody, also at Bonville kennels but owned by the Winchester Club syndicate, also trials today at the London Road circuit.

News reached me at the weekend from Martin Drake that Bantiss Jennings(below) won at the fifth time of asking at Coventry.  Martin gave him a few opens where he was not disgraced, but the step back to A2 paid off as Paddy justified our faith in him. This inexperienced dog will win his fair share of races, I am sure of that, and hopefully the grader won't penalise him too much.

And there was another couple of winners from Bantiss Kennels in England last week up in the North East - firstly, Alice and Me won an A2 at Brough Park on the 15th Nov making it 5 wins out of 27 starts in the UK.  Then High Class World won a Handicap at Pelaw Grange off scratch, coming from last to first to score her 8th success from 37 races.

Well done and continued good luck to all connections of all pups bought from Bantiss Kennels - we really hope you go on to great things.

Ireland's Pre-eminent Damline

Hard to know this one of course. The Minnies Nikita line is right up there (College Causeway, Boherna Best, Boherna On Air, Lenson Joker to name a few of the top ones at the moment), as is Queen Survivor (Romeo Del Piero last night was particularly impressive, and big winners recently are Shelbourne Dawn and Shelbourne Aston.  Or there is that super Farloe Dingle (Farloe Reason, Ninja Jamie, Farloe Merlin, Mineola Farloe and Hondo Dingle).

But for me the line that is starting to really take over is the Maythorn Pride line and the several branches thereof - eg Barnfield Loreto, Si Senor, Droopys Carvalho, Express Ego, Express Tune, Airport Express, Shelbourne Nina, Shelbourne Rich, Premier County etc etc. Last night was a huge night for this line. 

On Sky last night was the final of the Eclipse at Nottingham and it was won without fuss by the 2009 Derby Favourite Wise Thought.  Wise Thought is owned by Martin White - a meat trader - and this 76lb black son of Climate Control and Sierra Mist gives new meaning to the phrase "fit as a butchers dog".  He really has some gears - and although he disappointed me at Shelbourne Park in the summer - the Clonmel schooled dog has a huge future.  Tracing back to Maythorn Pride through Wise Flyer, Wise Memory and Memory Giver, the dog is a 4x4 Flashy Sir mating.

On the supporting card there was a nice open won by Romeo Primo in 30.29.  Primo is a 75lb black dog by Premier County out of Bright Smile - both bred by Pat Dalton.  Ths mating is a 3x4 'Rasmussen' breeding through Memory Giver.  Memory Giver was a grand-daughter of Maythorn Pride, and her two daughters Mystical Memory and Wise Memory have their own dynasties in their own right.  This fine dog is as close to a Pat Dalton bred dog as you can get - wothout being so. He was of course bred, owned and trained by David Firmager.

Pennys Oberon won a heat of the National Puppy Cake in an amazing 28.57 last night.  Oberon is a black 74lb dog by Brett Lee out of Shellys Crown. Many of you will remember Shelleys Crown as a very good bitch just a few years back. She is of course out of Airport Express and goes back to Maythorn Pride through March Queen, Gilded Mirror, Exception and Miss Hilary.  This mating is a 3x4 New Tears linebreeding - as will many breedings of Brett Lee over Pat Dalton's lines as the Cashel man used Roanokee a lot on his broods.

And the easiest winner of the night on the Sky card, Greyhound Of The Year nomination Wise Winner - Flying Penske out of Wise Winner back to Maythorn Pride- nothing else really to say about this lady - she is pure class.

I would have to be hoping my brood bitch from this line (Bantiss Jymmi) can do the honours and throw me a star.

Ballyjoker

Nice piece by P.R.Saward in the Breeding Lines section of today's Racing Post.

"Although the All England Cup has not been run continuously since its inauguration in 1938, an anniversary of sorts was reached with this year's renewal.

Ballyjoker won the first running, lowering the track record in each round, and also annexed the Cesarawitch, Wembley Summer Cup and White City's O.A. Critchley Memorial for owner Mrs J. Cearns and trainer Sidney Orton.

Bred by Miss P. Marrett in Llandaff, Cardiff, he was closely inbred to Mutton Cutlet(pictured) the Top Honcho of his day.  But would modern breeders follow her example in doubling up so closely on the six-times champion sire?"

                                                           Mutton Cutlet (Jamie UK x Miss Cinderella IR)

                                Beef Cutlet

                                             Burette IR (Melksham Tom UK x Rigadoon IR)

BALLYJOKER (AKA Joker Of Waterhall)

Brindle Dog Sept 1936 IR

                                             Future Cutlet IR (Mutton Cutlet UK x Wary Guide IR)

                               Jeanne Of Waterhall UK

                                             Jaded Jurywoman UK (Red Robin UK x Rathene UK)

Crash and Droopys Maldini

"And what about Crash and Droopys Maldini - the 2010 stud chart would, you imagine, be topped by one of these. They are matching each other win for win at the moment although Crash has a bit of a lead built up from the start of the year."

I posted the above on Friday, and last night at Shelbourne Park, two pups by Crash and Droopys Maldini, really set tongues wagging.

Crash pup Fawn Express made it 4 from 4 when winning an A5 stake final in a brilliant 28.71. This pup is for sale on greyhound-data and one would imagine he will be one for the serious players only.

Droopys Maldini has had a super year, winning several Group 1s already, and another pup by the blue machine scorched around HQ on his debut last night in a brilliant 28.87.  Kilmalady Torres certainly looks one for the notebook.

Expect to see plenty more good pups by Crash and Maldini over the coming years - they both have full books, and are neck and neck in all the sire charts doing the rounds.

Thurles Champion Bitch Stake

I was in the Townspark Stadium on Saturday night to see some brilliant performances by the fairer sex.  Hillcroft Josie, Danmar Pudsy, Plan, Minnies Alainn all sizzled, with perhaps Plan the fastest to the naked eye of that great bunch.  But the performance of the night was certainly by the Droopys Vieri star Rising Smoke who did the fastest run of the year by a bitch at the track (and third fastest overall) when she scorched around in a brilliant 28.65. Her sectional time of 1.65 is the second fastest on record.

To score the fastest time of the night when all these great bitches were running is a great achievement, and Ger Holian's charge must have a great chance of overall glory in this prestigious stake, and the €7,000 first prize.

As I have said before, this is probably the best line-up that Thurles has witnessed in years for a stake. Well done to all at the track.

Getting a dog to peak at the right time - and not burning them out....

I was speaking to man at the weekend who told me the story of this dog 15 years ago - he was the most famous dog in these islands at the time.  He rattled and broke clocks for fun, every race crowds would turn up to see this pup doing his stuff.

His owner/trainer was a greenhorn. He knew how to get a dog to win races - but he didn't have a long term plan for the dog. Every race was a Derby Final.

The great Ger McKenna wanted the dog. He told the young trainer he wanted the dog for the Irish Derby, and he was that confident he would not charge him any training fees if the dog didnt win the Irish Derby.

The young greenhorn refused - sure wasnt he doing great as he was. Anyway the dog didnt live up to his potential, and his name is just a byline in the history books.  His track records long since broken.

Funny how history has a habit of repeating itself.

Galway Golden Jacket

No surprises at all really in the first round of the Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket Classic which began at Galway on Saturday evening.  The main talking point in the lead up to the stake - worth €40,000 to the winner, thus making it the second biggest stake in Ireland, and boasting a total prize pool of €100,000 - was the possible meeting of those two foes College Causeway and Shelbourne Aston. 

The long season has obviously taken its toll on the Ladbrokes 600 winner and it was only a small surprise that connections decided to withdraw him at the last minute, citing tonsil problems as a concern.  I'm sure he will return fresh and bold in 2009.

It was down to Shelbourne Aston to continue where he left off in September and the Derby and Champion Stakes winner, and Greyhound Of The Year elect, didn't disappoint with a brilliant 31.29 win, coming from behind to lead in front of the stands.

Other big winners on the night include the sponsors' own Mardocs Heinze and Mardocs O'Shea, Tyrur Lee (who I think is a live contender and at 20/1 a bit of value), Royal Treason and the real big run came from Broadacres Turbo, who set a new track record of 31.10 in the process.

This Saturday's 2nd round pits recent North West Derby winner Target Kewell in with Shelbourne Aston and Broadacres Turbo, and it will be interesting to see if any of them get knocked out - although the four to qualify format will undoubtedly help.

Current Outright Betting courtesy of Boylesports

SHELBOURNE ASTON 5/2
BROADACRES TURBO 7/2
MARDOCS O SHEA 10/1
ROYAL TREASON 10/1
DISTANT LEGEND 10/1
TARGET KEWELL 14/1
FULL BLOOM 14/1
TYRUR LAUREL 20/1
MARDOCS HEINZE 20/1
KERRYDALE CELT 20/1
TYRUR LEE 20/1
OAKLEAF TOM 20/1
ASK AMY 20/1
LEMON ZAMORA 25/1
SHELBOURNE DENNY 25/1
NAWHOBBERTHADDA 25/1
RIVERSIDE HONCHO 25/1
THE OTHER SONIC 33/1
SLICK SPIRAL 33/1
KERRYDALE BHOY 33/1
DROOPYS DECO 33/1
DROOPYS TEABAG 40/1
IMAAL MASTER 40/1
SWINFORD MYLO 40/1
ELOUISA 40/1
FAITHFUL LAURA 50/1
SKYWALKER ANGEL 50/1
SHANEBOY SOPHIA 50/1
DOONBEG CRASH 66/1
BURNPARK DUKE 66/1
SKYWALKER DREAM 66/1
TOLEDO JAMES 100/1
ZONTES FOOTSTEP 100/1
THE OTHER ACHILL 100/1
SHERIE 100/1
MARDOCS NANI 100/1

2 nice wins by Queen Survivor 2nd Offspring

Romeo Del Piero flew around Nottingham's 500m circuit in a very good 30.10.

Ballymac Chubby won over Tralee's 750y trip in 42.72

IGB Open Race Sire Stats: October 2008

A superb month for Headbound (right), Yeah Man (what a loss he is) and Pinewood Blue! A resurgent Droopys Kewell shows that he will be up there challenging Droopys Vieri and Top Honcho for the number one spot. And what about Crash and Droopys Maldini - the 2010 stud chart would, you imagine, be topped by one of these. They are matching each other win for win at the moment although Crash has a bit of a lead built up from the start of the year.

Four sires ot their first Open Winners of the year (there were 245 Opens ran in October by the way) - Goldmine Ramble, Moyne Rebel, Smoking Ban and Tims Crow.

The full 2008 list has been updated and is available on the left hand side of the screen. 

1	TOP HONCHO	18
2	DROOPYS KEWELL	15
3	HONDO BLACK	12
4	CRASH	10
5	DROOPYS MALDINI	9
	HEADBOUND	9
7	DROOPYS VIERI	8
	PREMIER FANTASY	8
	TOP SAVINGS	8
	YEAH MAN	8
11	BRETT LEE	7
	DROOPYS SCHOLES	7
	HONCHO CLASSIC	7
	LARKHILL JO	7
15	GO WILD TEDDY	6
	KNOCKABOUT WOK	6
	PINEWOOD BLUE	6
18	COME ON LLEYTON	5
19	BIG DADDY COOL	4
	DROOPYS WOODS	4
	JAMELLA PRINCE	4
22	BALLYMAC MAEVE	3
	BOHERDUFF LIGHT	3
	DROOPYS SCOLARI	3
	JUDICIAL PRIDE	3
	KIOWA SWEET TREY	3
	MINEOLA FARLOE	3
	ROANOKEE	3
	TYRUR TED	3
	WORLD CLASS	3
31	AHANE LAD	2
	DAVES MENTOR	2
	FORTUNE MIKE	2
	PREMIER COUNTY	2
	ROYAL IMPACT	2
	SONIC FLIGHT	2
	WESTMEAD HAWK	2
38	BALLINTORE BRAVE	1
	BIONIC PROSPECT	1
	BLACK SHAW	1
	BOND	1
	CHARITY JACK	1
	CLIMATE CONTROL	1
	COOL PERFORMANCE	1
	DIGITAL	1
	DROOPYS AGASSI	1
	DROOPYS SHEARER	1
	DUNDRUM PRINCE	1
	ELITE STATE	1
	FISHY BOY	1
	FLYING PENSKE	1
	GOLDMINE RAMBLE	1
	HALLUCINATE	1
	HE SAID SO	1
	INDIAN RULER	1
	JOANNESTOWN CASH	1
	KNOCKEEVAN STAR	1
	LARKHILL LO	1
	LATE LATE SHOW	1
	MOYNE REBEL	1
	MUSTANG ZAPPER	1
	NO TAIL TOLD	1
	RACKETHALL JET	1
	RAZLDAZL BILLY	1
	SMOKING BAN	1
	SPIRAL NIKITA	1
	SPLIT THE BILL	1
	TIMS CROW	1
	TOLL SECURITY	1
	TOMS THE BEST	1
	TRUE HONCHO	1
	WHISKY ASSASSIN	1
	WW TIME WARP	1

College Causeway entered at 11th hour for Golden Jacket

The long awaited head-to-head rematch between Shelbourne Aston and College Causeway came a step closer last night as connections decided to enter College Causeway in the Golden Jacket Classic at Galway.

Aston has won the two Majors that they have contested so far, and I don't really go along with the theory that Causeway has been unlucky this year.  He held on to deservedly win the Ladbrokes 600 from Flying Penske, was fairly beaten in the Easter Cup Final, was roundly beaten in the Champion Stakes Final, and was knocked out of the Irish Derby when he got himself behind Shelbourne Aston who then took his ground.

But connections and fans of this brilliantly fast dog believe that he is better than results suggest, and have been going on about a re-match with Shelbourne Aston for the last two months.  But I ask you this: Why would connections of Aston say yes to a rematch? I'll ask you this also: What has the Irish Derby Champion, Champion Stakes Winner and 'Greyhound Of The Year Elect' got to gain from a match race?  Nothing is the answer to both - I hope you got that correct!  Causeway on the other had has everything to gain.

I spoke with College Causeway's trainer last week and he is sure that Causeway is the faster dog. That may be so - but he will need to prove that in a race against the bext dogs for that to go down in history. He smashed the clock in Lifford recently, so he comes into the stake in flying form.

So now onto the Golden Jacket Classic, over a stiff 575 yards that is sure to ideally suit both dogs. They have avoided each other in the first round - I wonder how long they will go before being drawn together.  One thing is for sure - when they meet there will be a huge crowd - and the atmosphere willl be amazing.

For my money the only way College Causeway can beat Shelbourne Aston is if he leads him, and he hasn't managed to do that yet apart from the night Aston was cleaned off at the bend.  College Causeway will never pick up a fit Shelbourne Aston - and I have the 'clockmen's evidence to prove that.

Watch out - here come the Ningbos

They are starting to hit the tracks. 

Just for the record, some of those I bred from Bantiss Princess are grading on nicely at Romford, and a flying machine by Ningbo Jack was spotted at the same track last week when King Edward flew around in his first open race, and only his fourth start, to beat an accomplished field in a simply flying time of 24.17.  Bought out of Wimbledon after two smashing wins, the dog is now with Rab McNair and is being targeted at the prestigious Coral Romford Puppy Cup which starts tomorrow.

This will be a hard competition to win with teh likes of Confident Kermit (5/2) and Droopys Quinta (8/1) sure to have a big say.  King Edward is priced at an attractive 12/1 with the sponsors.

Droopys Maldini proving the breeders right

If you are one of the many breeders that have used the 2005 Irish Greyhound Of The Year, Droopys Maldini, on one of your bitches - you can relax. With his first crophe is already up to number 3, miles clear of the next 'freshman' sire Crash.  Surely Maldini will be number 1 sire within a couple of years.  At the top Top Honcho is the leader, £103,000 ahead of Droopys Vieri.  But his tally does include the £100,000 won by Loyal Honcho in the Derby so there is very little between these two which reflects their stranglehold on the Open Sires Charts on both sides of the Irish Sea

The latest UK Stud Dog Prizemoney Charts were produced in the Racing Post today and it is very, very interesting reading for all involved in the breeding side of this great sport.

UK Stud Dog Prizemoney Charts 2008

Top Honcho £265k

Droopys Vieri £162k

Droopys Maldini £94k

Hondo Black £79k

Honcho Classic £74k

Droopys Kewell £71k

Larkhill Jo £71k

Crash £41k

Droopys Scholes £39k

Daves Mentor £38k

Vieri poised to retain his UK No.1 Sire crown as Top Honcho keeps his grip on the Irish scene

Yes, despite the neersayers and harbingers of doom saying that Droopys Vieri(above) would not hold onto his crown, it looks like the much vaunted challenge of the late Top Honcho has not really materialised as he is sitting on the same kind of clear second-placed spot as he was in last year. 

Top Honcho was a great stud dog that has just clinched his 7th consecutive Irish title courtesy of the Irish Greyhound Review awards. This award is done on a complicated point system, and is probably fairer than the UK award, nonetheless Top Honcho is a mile clear of his rivals in Ireland on all levels. No doubt who the best stud dog of the last decade has been.

Back to the UK though and Droopys Vieri.  After a couple of runner-up spots, Droopys Vieri is a shoe in now for his second win, and a very consistent stud dog he is to - second in Ireland for the last few years too.

Up To Date Sire Charts : UK Opens

1. Droopys Vieri 603 winners

2. Top Honcho 557

3. Droopys Kewell 310

4. Larkhill Jo 288

5. Hondo Black 285

6. Droopys Scholes 212

7. Honcho Classic 202

8. Droopys Maldini 197

9. Daves Mentor 146

10. Crash 138

 

Shelbourne Dawn Simply Sensational

Well I hope some of my loyal readers followed my plug for this brilliant prospect. Returned at 5/2 she will have bought a few bags of nuts I'm sure.

Shelbourne Dawn won on her first look at Shelbourne Park last night in a terrific 29.05.  Here's the video. The daughter of Queen Survivor by Boherduff Light will be targeted at the Irish Oaks next year I'm sure.

Just in case you missed it here's what I posted on Monday here's a recap:

This daughter of Boherduff Light and Queen Survivor impressed those in attendance and her trainer Brian King was delighted with the way she ran.  So delighted in fact that he entered her for an A4 at Shelbourne Park tomorrow night.  I know you need a run around it, but if she takes to the Ringsend track she will do a good run.

Or my initial posting on September 5th which put it more bluntly:

This bitch is an aeroplane. Nothing else to say. Watch this space.

Slip The Lark wins a big one - at last

After getting caught on the line in the Derby Final and the Laurels Final, Pat Buckley's Slip The Lark won the Gain Masters at Waterford on Saturday - but once again he only just held on.  A brilliant dog and one for the shortlist of nominations for Greyhound Of The Year I think.

Trainer Pat Buckley still has a bit of seconditis going on though as he was pipped by Pat Curtin for the Personality Of The Year award on Sunday night, but Bucks would be my Trainer Of The Year by a mile.

Bantiss Jymmi's pups kicking up a fuss!

Absolute smashing litter!  Picked up the 9 pups by Droopys Maldini from Lesley Finch at the weekend. They are nearly 6 weeks old now, and Lesley did a fabulous job whelping them down for me while I was on holidays.  If you need a bitch whelped down - she is highly recommended.

The five dogs and four bitches have brilliant colouring - all 9 are all black with white speckles.

GORGEOUS!

      

Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket at Galway

Ollie Hestor tells me the book is now full for the €100,000 Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket which begins this Saturday night at Galway.

This five run Group 1 stake, which has Classic status, is run over 575yards and was won by Pat Curtin's Caz Diamond last year, who was followed home by Cesarawitch winner Micks Savings and Irish Derby and Champion Stakes Winner Shelbourne Aston in 31.22.

Since that night last December, when Pat gave a free bar to the track, he has acquired Shelbourne Aston and masterminded the dual Group 1 winner to his summer glory, and the brindle superstar will start a hot favourite for this year's renewal.

In the book today were the likes of Aston and his kennelmate Droopys Arsene, Broadacres Turbo, Lemon Zamora, Mardocs O'Shea and Mardocs Heinze (both owned by sponsors Denis and Marie O'Connell, Royal Treason, Swinford Mylo, Slick Spiral and Ask Amy.

It should prove to be a superb competition - it's a shame that College Causeway's connections didn't see fit to take in Shelbourne Aston over a trip that will suit them both - but they can get it on next year I suppose.

Thurles Champion Bitch Stake

Looks like I will be spending my next few weekends between Galway and Thurles. Great racing in prospect.

Kindly sponsored by the track bookmakers, the Champion Bitch Stake kicks off this weekend at Thurles.  Racing Manager Daniel Monk informs me there it will now be run as a 60 bitch stake with all heats running off on Saturday night.

An excited Monk told me it was shaping up to be one of the most competitive renewals in years.If I just spat out a few names - Cooraclare Rose (Puppy Oaks Winner), Danmar Pudsy (Newbridge Oaks Winner)track darling Borna Del, last year's runner-up Zip Fastener (who filled the same spot in Sunday's Newbridge Final), Minnies Elaine, Sadie Vieri, Graigues Toss, Light Shift, Last Song and the reigning champ, Munster Oaks and NorthWest Oaks winner Hillcroft Josie - that is sure to give a flavour to what looks an amazing stake.

Razldazl Em

This black pup weighing in at 77lb, won an Open Unraced Stake at Shelbourne Park a fortnight ago.

Being by 2006 Irish Greyhound Of The Year and Irish Greyhound Derby winner Razldazl Billy, out of Razldazl Pearl, he is owned and trained- inevitably - by Liam Marks and Dolores Ruth respectively.

It is not often that a pup breaks onto the scene and does those kind of runs (28.72 & 28.68) at Shelbourne Park midweek. When you consider his size (he is sure to develop a lot) it must give connections goosebumps.

As covered on other sites (notably the NO BULL section of Greyhound Nuts) , this pup is DEFINITELY one for the notebook.

I have a mini-grumble here folks - please bear with me.  Matt Bruton of the the Sporting Press has a regular breeding coumn - sorry, let me rephrase that - he has the only regular breeding column in Ireland dedicated to greyhounds.  His Sporting Press column is often illuminating and is the very first page I turn to.  In last week's edition, he does indeed give a write-up to Razldazl Em. But he misses the most obvious of obvious when he fails to point out that Razldazl Em is a product of a 3x3 Staplers Jo breeding. 

This topic of discussion is very popular these days with many breeders pondering over whether 3x3 is too close.  It is all the more important because the Irish blood pool is so heavily concentrated with two main lines - the Head Honcho/Top Honcho strains of the Temlee sire line, and of course the Staplers Jo/Larkhill Jo (Kewell,Maldini) sire line.  i can't understand how he didn't even make a reference to the 3x3 Staplers Jo.

                                Brett Lee (Gun Law Osti x Sobbing Sal)

             Razldazl Billy

                               Inky Black  (Staplers Jo x Annies Bullet)

RAZLDAZL EM (Bk Dog 77lb, Dec 06)

                                Larkhill Jo (Staplers Jo x Westmead Flight)

            Razldazl Pearl

                               Lughill Rose (Brickfield Blaze x Crory County)

Bittersweet victory for Bantiss Annie

I thought Annie would run very well on Saturday night after her month off. I gave her a tissue of 3/1 and so it was, all the boards were unanimous going 'carpet' about the black daughter of Droopys Maldini and Aughavas. 'Track Champion' Carhugar Bobsie (11 wins at Galway in 2008) was the jolly, but amazingly the bookie on the end (who will remain endless to save his blushes) priced the race 'betting without', and was offering Annie to win or come second to Tyrur Nodge at 3/1 when really she should have been 6/4 at best.  I calmly walked over and had a chunky bet on her, and to give the bookie credit, he didn't blink.

Bantiss Annie became an adult last week - her official birthday being the 3rd of November - and our little treasure is showing signs of improvement in her early pace.  She pinged the lid, and whilst a few of them went with her, she did take a bump but scooted to the bend and was 2 clear coming out of the 2nd bend.  She clocked a pretty sensational 3.21 sectional time in the process, and the lead stayed at 2 lengths coming off the last bend, when Another Legend and Rineen Beauty closed on her.

It appeared she was beaten but she pulled out enough to hold on by 1/2 a length in a time of 29.38.  As they approached the bend after the line, the pack engulfed her and she took a sickening fall, somersaulting in the proces. She came off with bloodied but undefeated, but a visit to the vet has revealed some damage and she will be off the racing strength now until the New Year at the very earliest.  The best thing to happen now would be if she came in season.

The track was back between 20 and 40 spots on Saturday, which makes the runs of Ban Diamond (2910) and Tyrur Lee(2880) very special.  I say it was back because Pat Curtin, PJ Fahy and Racing Manager Ollie Hestor told me so, although the going was variable across the night and hard to quantify.  Shelbourne Aston incidentally warmed up for next week's Golden Jacket with a nice 28.87 run, to add to his 28.86 last week.  You'd be imagining the Irish Derby Winner would be capable of 30 or 40 spots faster than that at this stage of his preparation for the Golden Jacket.

Annie has now won 4 of her 10 starts, and I have yet to see her throw in a bad performance.  2009 could be very interesting if she can improve a few lengths again.

New Dawn

Shelbourne Dawn was backed down to 4/5 to win on Friday night at Thurles, but as pups are prone to do, she made a hash of the start, screwing out and falling on her nose.

Passing her opponents out at will down the back straight, she went from last to 2nd at the third bend, and continued to close on a right good winner(Miss Penske who won this debut in a superb 29.04) to go down by a diminishing 5 lengths, with that margin reduced to a length at the pick up.

This daughter of Boherduff Light and Queen Survivor impressed those in attendance and her trainer Brian King was delighted with the way she ran.  So delighted in fact that he entered her for an A4 at Shelbourne Park tomorrow night.  I know you need a run around it, but if she takes to the Ringsend track she will do a good run.

Bantiss Annie returns

Annie runs tomorrow night after a few weeks off. She is perfectly drawn in trap 3 but has the zippy Tyrur Nodge in trap 1 to contend with to the bend as well as some smart bitches on the outer.  Her recent conqueror Carhugar Bobsie will be finishing strongest of them all and if within a few lengths at the third, will take stopping.

We fancy Annie to run well if getting a clear exit from traps.

Thurles track the place to be tonight....

...as Shelbourne Dawn makes her long awaited debut.  You were told!

The Italian Job 2!

Francesca at the EGN sent me a couple of photos of Dex and Daisy (Bantiss Nikita pups) who I sold as puppies to Rick Rose in Kerry.  Not cut out for a racing career - like the whole litter -Rick contacted Francesca and asked could a home for them both be found - together.  They have been inseperable since birth.

Nikita is also living La Dolce Vita on a couch in Italy - and seems to be loving every minute of it.

All you readers that have a dog ready to retire - or not up to racing - get it rehomed!  Look at the smiles on these two pups' faces - and the greyhounds!!

Pat Buckley to win another big one?

In a really productive year that has seen his kennel win the Cronin Juvenile Classic at Tralee (€24,000 to Droopys Torres), the Ladbrokes 600 at Shelbourne Park (€35,000 to College Causeway), the Irish Puppy Derby (€35,000 to Droopys Noel) and last night at Lifford the NorthWest Derby (€32,000 to Target Kewell), Pat Buckley is double handed in next week's final of the Gain Waterford Masters Final at Kilcohan Park. 

Slip The Lark (pictured) and Cabra Cool represent the Doon handler and he will surely be favourite to land the €25,000 winner's purse with one of this highly performed duo. Both of these dogs were finalists in the recent Irish Laurels Final at Cork, and while Slip The Lark would be regarded as Pat's prime chance, Cabra Cool clocked the fastest semi final win when beating his Laurels victor Cashen Legend in 29.55 (Legend finished fourth and was eliminated).

Slip The Lark finished third behind Dysert Poldark who won in a nice 29.68.  Slip The Lark would be a might popular winner of this prestigious event, having been caught on the line in the Irish Derby Final and in the Irish Laurels Final.  A long hard season may be taking its toll on the early paced son of Larkhill Jo, but do not rule out his trainer getting a big run out of him on the big night.

Here is the full line up for next weekend's showpiece:

1. Cabra Cool (P.Buckley)
2. Dysert Poldark (M.Byrne)
3. Lemon Zamora (M.Leahy)
4. Ballymac Under (P.Fitzgerald) (M)
5. Archaton Pine (N.Turner) (M)
6. Slip The Lark (P.Buckley) (M)