‘Shanks’ enjoys a fruitful period
PIERCESTOWN OWNER Seamus ‘Shanks’ Whelan has enjoyed a very good few weeks, and his fine run continued on Monday of last week when his Piercestown Iron got the better of a battle royal with Ketch Up Sooty to win the final of the Paradise Madison Unraced Stake at Enniscorthy dog track.
The kennel also has had a super few weeks with their flying bitch Collage Jade who won the Munster Oaks in Waterford and won her first round heat of the Sporting Press Oaks at Shelbourne Park on Thursday.
There was a big crowd in attendance for the Enniscorthy and District Chamber’s fundraising night at the dogs for the festival Christmas lighting, and there was some hot action on track also with some kennels hitting in recent weeks. It would be profitable to follow these runners in the coming weeks.
An owner who is enjoying a recent good run is Kilkenny man Ned Freeman whose runners took both semi-finals of the Horse and Hound stake over 550 yards.
His Stripe Mary was a very impressive winner of the first semi, recording a fast 30.05, and then Stripe Pal showed a fine burst of speed down the back to score a good 30.45 and now has a very strong challenge for this week’s final over the 575 yards.
The A1/2 stake semi-finals were also decided, and the Frances Gleeson-owned Elusive Star ran a fine race in the first semi when going to the front off the second bend and running out a cosy winner in a good 28.86.
The other semi went to the Raymond O’Sullivan-owned Tycoon Prince who also ran a good race, coming to the lead off the last bend and running home a clear winner in 29 seconds. This final will also be run this Thursday night.
September 18 results - race one, Welcome to Enniscorthy Track A7/ A8 525: 1, Bing Fassbender (owner, Helen Morris, Rosslare Harbour; trainer, Vincent Morris), 29.30; 2, Ashwood Joan, 29.51.
Race two, The Trackside Diner A6 525: 1, Alanas Angel (owner, Eddie Carty, Enniscorthy), 29.27.
Race three, The Track Bar S2/S3 350: 1, Raise A Glass (owners, the N25 syndicate), 18.81; 2, Lisnakill Messi, 18.95.
Race four, Glenbrien Kennels A5/A6 525 semi-final: 1, Dolls Lady (owner, Edward Sheridan, Co. Wicklow), 29.35; 2, Duchess Erin, 29.42.
Race five, Glenbrien Kennels A5/ A6 525 semi-final: 1, Heavenstown Jack (owner, Amy Cleary, Cleariestown), 29.32; 2, Ketch Up Sweep, 29.35.
Race six, Paradise Madison N1/ N2 Unraced Stake final: 1, Piercestown Iron (owner, Seamus Whelan, Piercestown), 29.05; 2, Ketch Up Snoopy, 29.06.
Race seven, Red Mills Champion Unraced Starts Mon 9th Oct A5 525: 1, Society St Coin (owners, the Stephen’s Day syndicate, Co. Wexford), 29.13; 2, Stripe Lucy, 29.37.
Race eight, Enniscorthy Chamber Night This Thursday A4/A5 525: 1, Hillside Kelpie (owner, Eleanor Turner, Enniscorthy), 29.32; 2, Yes Way Hose, 29.37.
September 21 results - race one, The Riverside Park Hotel A5 525: 1, Ashfield Josie (owner, Vincent Morris, Rosslare Harbour), 29.41; 2, Late Ro Ro, 29.48.
Race two, The E.E.W. Ltd. A4 525: 1, Coolaught Boy (owner, Tom Doyle, Enniscorthy), 29.27; 2, Metric Lilly, 29.41.
Race three, Sherry Fitzgerald O’Leary & Bennett Tarmacadam 575: 1, Mick Be Slick (owner, Liam Butler Snr., Wexford town), 31.85; 2, Kereight Dodger, 32.02.
Race four, Piercestown Sand A1/ A2 Stake semi-final: 1, Elusive Star (owner, Frances Gleeson, Gorey), 28.86; 2, Kuda Ross, 28.96.
Race five, Piercestown Sand A1/A2 Stake semi-final: 1, Tycoon Prince (owner, Raymond O’Sullivan, Carrigbyrne), 29.00; 2, Tagalong Hawkeye, 29.14.
Race six, Horse and Hound A3/ A4 Tri Distance Stake semi-final: 1, Stripe Mary (owner, Ned Freeman, Co. Kilkenny), 30.05; 2, Tullycanna Dot, 30.57.
Race seven, Horse and Hound A3/A4 Tri Distance Stake semi-final: 1, Stripe Pal (owner, Ned Freeman, Co. Kilkenny), 30.45; 2, Miniinthebox, 30.73.
Race eight, The Credit Union A3 525: 1, Brickfield Blue (owner, Tommy Woods, Enniscorthy), 29.36; 2, Mild Stitch, 29.46.
Race nine, The Sam McCauley’s/ AIB A3 525: 1, Pros Fancy (owner, Eugene Crosbie, Enniscorthy), 28.94; 2, Duffry Gate Pat, 29.25.