The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Stars of the future get going with Juvenile Classic heats
THE biggest event of the year at the Oakview venue, the juvenile classic, starts this Friday night and there is going to be a lot of excitement in the air, as there always is when greyhounds that are likely to be stars of the future make their competitive bow.
“We have good numbers and good class and they are the two most important ingredients for any important sweepstake,” said Declan Dowling, the track’s Sales and Operations Manager. “It should be another great classic.”
The sponsors for the past few years, the Gallivan, Murphy, Hooper, Dolan insurance company, of Killarney, are replaced by Greyhound and Petworld, of Abbeyfeale, and, assuming that there is a full field of 48, the winner’s purse will be €15,000.
Greyhound and Petworld are a great fit for the classic and, although the draw was not known at the time of writing, it goes without saying that many of the top kennels will again be represented in it.
There has always been a really good winner of the classic and the same will surely apply this year. Needless to say, it is that bit sweeter when Kerry greyhounds figure prominently and, hopefully, there will be a strong Kerry involvement come final night, but, invoking the spirit of sportsmanship, let the best greyhound win.
An exciting few weeks ahead at the Oakview venue, for sure. Enjoy!
Meanwhile, the focus at the Oakview venue last Friday night was on two semi-finals of an unraced 525yds sweepstake for ON2 class and the final, which is worth a handsome €2,500 the winner, is a very nice addition to the juvenile classic programme this Friday night.
The fastest semi-final winner was Chosen Flame, which clocked 29.18 (.10 slow) for Tournafulla owner, Billy Keogh. This 2/1 shot set himself up for victory with the best of starts from trap 2 in the first semi-final and he enjoyed a four-length lead rounding the third bend before 6/4 joint favourite, Ballyard Rocky, powerfully closed to half a length at the line, with the same distance back to another strong finisher, the Liam O’Callaghan-trained Rushmoor Carol.
The second semi-final was won in 29.25 by Barnagrane Sean, owned by Paudie O’Keeffe, of Charleville. He was sent off the 5/4 favourite and he did the business really well from trap 4, showing terrific early pace to lead off the first bend from Garfineys Hero and Letter Cain and staying firmly in control to the line where he had two and a half lengths to spare from Letter Cain, with two lengths back to Kilcurra Minnie.
On the evidence of the semi-finals, especially bearing in mind his starting ability, Chosen Flame can win this Friday night’s final from a trap 4 draw, even if he needed the decent lead he enjoyed last Friday to get home in front of Ballyard Rocky.
The draw is (trap order): Ballyard Rocky, Kilcurra Minnie, Barnagrane Sean, Chosen Flame, Letter Cain, Rushmoor Carol (W).
An unsung hero at last Friday’s meeting was bookmaker, Patsy Browne, without whom no betting odds would have been available. That morning, Patsy was up at 6am in his Athea home before heading to the national coursing in Clonmel to operate from his usual stand there.
It says a lot for his commitment to Tralee track that he keeps on turning up there no matter what the weather or the circumstances and, if he did make a few bob last Friday night, more power to him.
Other winners were Mercenary Mary, 18.05; Darragh Jake, 29.57; Moybella Pixie, 29.11; Emilys Buttercup, 29.95; Saleen Jake, 29.31; Stormy Dasher, 28.91; Loher Storm, 28.88; Teevee Allie, 29.94; Russmur Abbey, 29.06; Razldazl John, 29.34.
The going was .10 slow for all 525yds races and .05 slow for the opening 325yds race.
• There was no racing on Saturday night because of the coursing in Clonmel.