Barnes and Walshe have their dogs in super form
TINAHELY couple Brendan Barnes and Nicola Walshe are enjoying a successful return to greyhound racing with two wins over the last few weeks in Enniscorthy and Newbridge.
Most recently it was Eagleview Pronto who stormed home in Newbridge, beating a very strong field, just holding on at the end to win in a fine 28:85 with a 17:60 sectional. She showed great early and determination. Earlier, in June, across the border in Co. Wexford, it was Gunner Rosa who was a trap to line winner in 28:97 for the trainers’ first win since the lockdown, posting her best time to date in her fourth career win.
‘I’d say I’ve been at this for in or around 14 or 15 years,’ said Brendan on Monday. I’ve only got my training license for the last two years. We’ve nine dogs in training and 22 dogs in total. Nicola does them with me all the time,’ he added.
The couple are due to be married this September and both are hugely committed to their passion for training greyhounds, rising at 5am every morning to work with them and even installing a gallop at the home their building together outside of Tinahely. .
‘Crazy time (put into the pursuit). We’re up at 5am every morning to work with the dogs. I’ve put in a new gallop at the new house I’m building between Tinahely and Hacketstown and it’s been a big help,’ said Brendan.
Last weekend’s race was an unraced race, meaning that none of the dogs had raced before. Brendan said there were dogs there from top trainers and to win in 28 seconds was a very good.
‘It was an unraced, it was their first time out, but there was a lot of big, big owners, so it was a top unraced race. Anything in 28 (seconds) in any race is very good, most dogs would be 29. That’s my own dog. I bought her about six or seven months ago. She was ready to race just before lockdown.
‘She’s moved up the grades now, so it’s probably Shelbourne for her, hopefully. That’s where she’ll be going to,’ he said.
To date, Brendan says that a dog called Cookies Pronto was his best runner but that there are two pups coming along nicely that are the ‘real deal’.
‘Cookies Pronto, she won her stake in Shelbourne in 28.69, about two years ago. I’ve two runners out on Friday night, hopefully. It’s their first time out. And I’ve two nice pups, Pronto Jet and Pronto
Gem, they’re my next exciting prospects. They won’t be running for a while. They’re the real deal,’ he added.