The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Bookie blackout for first five races
O’NEILLS Dog Food have made nice money available for an 18-greyhound novice sweepstake at Tralee Track (the winner gets €1,250) and first round heats took place on Saturday night in association with a fund-raiser for Kingdom Wheelblasters.
The fund-raising element meant a very sizeable crowd and, between the racing itself and the televised Irish Leger and Sporting Press Oaks action from Limerick and Shelbourne Park (that televised coverage frustratingly crashed at times, it must be said), there was plenty to entertain.
However, a very strange situation arose in that no bookmaker betting was available for the opening five races . . . and this at a venue where a dozen and more bookmakers were betting back the years. The business just isn’t there any more, it seems, though Glin coursing meeting might have had something to do with it.
Betting was available for races 6 to 9, provided by Kieran Bourke and Leo Geoghegan.
In the novice sweepstake itself, there wasn’t an awful lot separating the three heat winners on time, with Ballymac Ina, owned and trained by Liam Dowling, fastest on 29.28 in heat 1 after routing the opposition (she finished nine lengths ahead of Boxer Dinny).
Pretty Éilish won heat 2 in 29.40 for Michael Bourke, of Ballylongford, and a reserve, Allowdale Boss, won heat 3 in 29.37 for Mrs Áine McCarthy Roche, of Banteer.
Four qualified from each heat, leaving twelve going through to the semi-finals this Saturday night, the draw for which worked out as follows (trap order): First semi-final: Ascot Rocky, Banfid Lead, Youngfellathanks, Ballymac Darryl, Boxer Dinny, Confident Alpha. Second semi-final: Allowdale Boss, Steeple Rd El, Ballymac Ina, Pretty Éilish, Steeple Rd Maxi, Banfid Gunpowder.
The sixth race (A4 525) carried the name of Kingdom Wheelblasters and it was won in 29.14 by Hawthorn Katie, owned by Patrick O’Connor, of Ballyduff, while Send It Treron clocked 17.54 for the sprint distance to follow up a terrific 24/1 double for trainer, Pat McMahon, that morning. Other winners: My Boy Benny, 17.95; Toremore Rising, 17.93; Mohane Denzel, 28.81; Roys Legacy, 18.86.
SATURDAY’S SIS MEETING
THE Pat McMahon double was achieved by Send It Zenaida (29.16) and Send It Seasons (28.93), both returned at 4/1. Other winners: Feohanagh Rodger, 28.25; Headleys Belle, 28.94; Fortfield Grace, 29.56; Jasons Fifi, 28.86; Shineasyougo, 29.12; Costa Volcan, 28.89.