Tasty Novice 1 525 Final on Race of Champions menu

A LOT of very good prize money is going to be won at Tralee this Friday night, especially in the Race Of Champions, and the owner of one of six greyhounds in the final of a supporting Novice 1 525 sweepstake will be enriched to the tune of €2,000.

That is because of sponsorship provided by the Supporters’ Club and it could well be that a greyhound that was beaten into third place at the semi-final stage last Saturday night, Carran Joshua (28.93 in the first round), will win that handsome purse for Alan Newman, of Headford.

However, everything will have to go absolutely right for him from a trap 5 draw, especially considering the claims of Palatine Michael in particular (this fellow won the first semi-final in 29.18, with the second semi-final being won in 29.47 by Didley Squat).

The draw for the final is (trap order): Maximum Force, Palatine Michael, Didley Squat, Charo, Carran Joshua, Longmeadow Raven.

Saturday night’s programme also cleared the way for the final of an 18-greyhound A7 525 sweepstake sponsored by Eleco Services. The semi-final winners were Knocktoo Niamh (29.44), Edencurra Donna (29.39) and Millridge Myst (29.76) and, from a trap 1 draw, Knocktoo Niamh can win this Friday night’s final for Limerick trainer, Neilus O’Connell, who had another winner on Saturday night in Rosies Rambler (18.26).

There was also a double for trainer John P O’Sullivan and owner, Stuart Welford, of Scartaglen, with Palatine Michael and his litter brother, Palatine Magic (29.36).

The draw for the Eleco Services final is (trap order): Knocktoo Niamh, Edencurra Donna, Pumpkin Brandy, Seomra Skip, Millridge Myst, Carmac Courage.

Other winners on Saturday night were Kielduff Super, 17.85; Grogeen Country, 17.60; Ionic Hannah, 17.79; Johns Jet, 29.30.

WINNERS at Saturday afternoon’s SIS session: Lassinagh Grand, 29.50; Ciaras Kona, 30.05; Tims Pearl, 29.07; Ballyverane Boy, 29.09; Mileheight Molly, 29.11; Promising, 28.81; Rocket Pocket, 28.83; Garfiney Bigmike, 29.22.

Pat Dooley and the St. Brendan’s Park U-14 team presenting the prize to Mike Keane after their dog, Honthehill, won the Buster race on Friday last. Photo by David O’Sullivan