Fallon wins Champion Stakes

FORMER champion jockey, Kieren Fallon from Ballinruan, will have a strong contender in next week’s Ladbrokes.com Irish greyhound Derby. Uncle Eoin, which he owns with Athy trainer, James Robisnon, looked a great propsect after giving a dazzling peroformance to win the final of the €20,000 Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes in Shelbourne Park last Saturday night.
The Clare man was deleighted to be able to make it to Shelbourne Park for the great occasion after calcelling his ride in the last race at theYork meeting,
Showing good promise since last year and putting together a number of great performances in recent times, including an exciting win in the  Champion Stakes semi-final, the black son of  Droopy’s Vieri-Dark Rose, got off to  the proverbial flier from trap six last Saturdaynight to lead at the opening bend from the trap five runner, the  Dolores Ruth-trained Razldazl Jayfay, the joint 2/1 favourite with Broadstrand Lad in two. Uncle Eoin was still the front runner as they made their way down the back straight but Razldazl Jayfay got nearer as they  reached the halfway stage. He got on terms at the third to take a slight advantage as they turned for home but Uncle Eoin was not finished yet and he rallied magnificiently in the run in  to regain the lead and in a thrilling finish got to the finishing line a length in front of the Dolores Ruth-trained brindled. The winner’s clock was 29.81. For most of the way, this was a two-dog affair with third place going to the Conor Fahy-trained Tyrur Domingo in trap two, a length and a half back.
The jockey was over the moon with what was his biggest win ever in the dogs. This was the 26th running of the Champion Stakes and the Clare-born jockey now joins the list of winners with Pat Hogan of Templemaley, Ennis,who was the first ever winner of the Champion Stakes with the Matt O’Donnell-trained Storm Villa.
Some years ago, Fallon had a runner in the Deby final. He was a member of the syndicate with Pat Jones of Scariff, which owned the Noel Mullins-trained, Bar the Devil who was favouruite for the classic but got sick mid-week and did not run to form in the final.
The Ennis-owned What Tornado was fourth in the Townviewfoods.com Consolation Champion Stakes final won by Deerfield Music in 29.72.

Clare dogs qualify for Corrib Plate final

THE unbeaten Malbay Bawn, owned by Ciara Burke, Miltown Malbay and the Ennis-owned Drimeen Brownie qualified for this week’s final of Flaherty Market’s Corrib Plate when they quailified from the second semi-final heat last Thursday night.
The Owen McKenna-trained Loughteen Comet won the first semi-final in 29.02 from Clydagh Blue and Tunes Song.
Malbay Bawn in trap five was best away in the second semi-final and son of Royal Impact and Rith Saor led by two lengths from Tyrur Sallyann rounding the opening bend. Malbay Bawn had extended his lead to three lengths down the far side from Tyrur Sallyann and Drimeen Brownie. Tyrur Sallyann threatened briefly over the final two bends but Malbay Bawn was not to be beaten and won by a length and three quarter  in 29.15 from Tyrur Sallyann. Two lengths back for third place was Drimeen Brownie, trained by John Browne for Noel Coote. 
There were some Clare qualifiers for second-round heats of the Oran Majestic A3 525 on Thursday night. In the first of the opening-round heats, the Rynal Ruane-trained Jumeirah Joe (Brett Lee-Droopys Just Hot) in trap one set up an early lead and was in front all the way to win by two and a quarter lengths in 29.33 from Mine Hazel, trained by Frank Browne for Mary Browne, Quin. Third place went to the reserve runner, Wellstone Two, owned by Leo McNulty, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Patsy Riordan.
Bellaghy Twink, in one, and Mythical Tar, in three, were first away in heat two  but with the benefit of the inside line, Bellaghy Twink (Westmead Hawk-Menlo Twink) went two lengths clear. At the line, it was Bellaghy Twink by nearly five lengths in 29.30 from Phils Boy with the John Keane and Frank White (Ennis) owned Mythical Tar taking third place.
The Robert and Malcolm McDonnell-owned Crossmorewarior won the final heat by two and a half lengths in 29.61 from Bumblebee Bingo with Glenbrack Paul, trained by Noel Mullins for Billy Kilroy, Kinvara, filling third place.
Cratloe owner, Gerry Manley, was the first winner of the night with Confused Maeve in an an A7 graded 525. Showing the way from the start were reserve runner, Outback Prentiss in trap six and the Stephen Murray-trained Confused Maeve in the orange jacket. After the first bend, Confused Maeve was clear and was still leading the field down the far side. She continued to hold the advantage to cross the line five lengths in front of Larusco Bingo with a clock of 29.77.
Padraic Fannin from Ennis and Jack McNamara won race two, an S9 graded 350, with Follow the Money in trap six. Trained by Leonard McNamara, Follow the Money outpaced Nebraska Royal (Martin Griffin, Caherea) to the opening bend and despite going wide, she extended her advantage to two lengths.  However, the daughter of Droopy’s Scolari-Endova Rainbow had to withstand a grandstand finish by Crafty Sorgo to win by half a length in 19.59.
In the first semi-final of an A8 mini stake, the Seamus Fahy-trained Wario came good over the final two bends to win by four and a half lengths from the Jennie Griffin-trained Corker Fergal (Kevin Fahey, Kiltartan). The time was 29.87.
The Kiltartan owner was also runner-up in the second semi-final with Corker Maldini, again handled by Jennie Griffin. The trap-to-line winner by three and a half lengths in 29.70 was the Thurles-owned Kilara Blonde.
Former Sixmilebridge hurler, Michael Barron, was also among the winners as a result of his Ardkyle Tango winning an A5 graded 525. The daughter of Kinloch Brae Tahina Mint led from the start and was soon two lengths clear of Danmar Caoimhe. As they approached the third bend, Danmare Caoimhe and Mine Chariot came to within a length of the winner but Ardkyle Tango stayed in front to bring off his second career win by a length and three quarters in 29.41 from the locally owned Dirty Frank with Frank Browne’s Mine Chariot taking third spot.

Majestic performance by Kilmihil-owned dog

THERE were a number of Clare and South Galway winners in Galway on Friday night but all the talk was about the performance given by the Kilmihil-owned Premier  Delight in an opening round heat of the Oran Majestic A3 over 525 yards.
Owned by Martin J. Keane, the son of Premier Fantasy-Great Delight was having just his second career start but the manner in which he went about his business really caught the eye. He jumped out of trap three to go two lengths clear of the trap four runner, Panther Delight. However, down the back, the winner really opened up to go into a lead of eight lengths and at the line, had five and a quarter lengths to spare with an exciting clock of 28.76. The runner-up was Moneypoint Magic (Madeleine Walsh, Gort) and third place went to the Pat Curtin-trained Eve’s Aston owned by the McCoy-Curtin syndicate.
The card featured heats four, five and six of the Oran Majestic and in heat five, the Colie O’Loughlin-owned and trained Pal Duke in trap five was prominent from the start. Outback Gideon led the way after the first bend with Enticement giving chase. At the second-last bend, Enticment led briefly on the inside but the Rynal Ruane-owned Outback Gidseon responded well to go back into the lead and win by a length and a half in 29.54. Third place went to the Inagh-owned Pal Duke.
The Noel Mullins-trained and Gort-owned County Hurlers led by two lengths down the back in heat six but as they reached the halfway stage, another Gort-owned runner, Jennick, had made up a lot of ground. The son of Hondo Blacxk-Soviet Victoria, was in the lead after the third bend and stayed in command to win by four lentgths in 29.47 for trainer Jennie Griffin who owns the winner with Nick Bailey. The runner-up was Set For Glory and third place went to Christy’s Bell.
The card also featured two semi-final heats of the Flaherty Markets A6 and Clare owners were prominent in both.
Trap six runner, Aulton Percy, owned by Pat Hogan from near Ennis got a brilliant start from trap six in the opening heat. He led around the first bend by two lengths from the Thomas and David Lenehan-owned Polldaddy Rocket in trap one. There was trouble behind them as they went clear down the far side. Aulton Percy railed exceptionally well over the last two bends to open the way for a four-and-a-half-length win in 29.49 for the son of Westmead Hawk-Newbridge Jewel from Pooldaddy Rocket with Clonlaheen Ace (Thomas Warren, Kilmaley) finishing in third place.
There was an all-Clare finish to the second semi-final heat in which Tarquynn Bluey in the inside trap, Killuran Lady in three and Sally Black in two were all well placed but they all slightly collided leaving Tarquynn Blue leading by two lengths racing down the back. The Dermot McInerney (Hurlers Cross)-owned son of Droopy’s Maldini and Lyreen Chilli gradually pulled away to lead by three lengths leaving the back straight. He raced on to win by four lengths in 29.95 from over Killuran Lady owned by Master Gary Cooney, Broadford. Third home was Smithstown Mick owned by Albert Burke, Shannon.
In the opening semi-final of the Flaherty Markets A5, the Davy Lavelle-trained and locally owned Windfield Lass won by a length in 29.46 from the Maurice Mullaney-trained Astroair with the John McDonagh-trained Tyrur Paudi beaten a short head into third place.
Thanksgiving in trap six, Karalla State in two, Knockdine Black in the inside lane and Slim Away in five all went for the opening-corner lead in the second semi-final. As they headed down the back, Thanksgiving led by a length from Slim Away as Knockdine Black moved wide to launch his effort passing halfway. Knockdine Black moved through on the inside of the leader to take command rounding the third bend and the Michael O’Brien, Miltown Malbay-owned the son of Hondo Black and Fastaway Baby just held off the late charge Slim Away at the line to win by half a length in 29.89.
The John Browne-trained Brackhill Frank was winner of an S3 graded 350. Owned by the BogeyBoys syndicate from Ballyhaunis, the son of Ballymac Maeve and Rathmeehan Maura led by two lengths from Birrogue Jer going into the opening bend. The winner, railing well, held a three-length advantage turning for home and raced on for his 10th career win by three and a quarter lengths in 19.24.
The concluding contest was an A4 graded 550 and on the long run towards the opening bend, the Maurice Mullanney-owned and trained Barrybeg Locker just led the way. Approaching the third bend, Davris Jim challenged on the outside but Barrybeg Locker (Kinloch Brae-Rackhill Lace) responded well to stay in front and win by half a length in 31.59.

Record-breaking run by Ocean Crash

AS well as last weekend’s Champion Stakes winner, Uncle Eoin, the Parteen-owned Ocean Crash could have big say in the outcome of  next week’s Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby. He boosted his chances after a blistering record run in the Derby trial stake final at the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium last Friday night.
Owner-trainer, Tom Fitrzgerald Jnr, had the son of Crash-Ocean Lucy in tip-top shape for the Limerick final. Installed as the money-on favourite, he bombed out of trap four to go three lengths clear at the operning bend and the race was as good as over at this stage. He was never bothered for the rest of the trip and came home in a record-breaking time of 29.43. This was the fastest time  recorded over 550 yards at  Limerick’s new stadium. He won by four lengths from St Leger finalist, Inislosky Magoo, owned by Mary Crotty, O’Briensbridge. The Graham Holland-trained Rival Reward was beaten a neck into third place.
Another O’Briensbridge owner, BillyMurphy, had a winner with Wizard Johnny in the fifth race on the card, an A6 graded 525. The son of Prince Monalulu-Rushaun Spark put in a storming finish to beat the even-money favourite Mineola Giggs by half a length in 29.39.
The Downes family from Killaloe also got their name on the winners’ frame with Ferndale Scolari (Droopy’s Scolari-Ferndale Whyso). Trained by Mick Downes for Janet Downes, the winner flew from trap six and led all the way for a good 28.85 win, beating Saleen Crackers by three parts of a length.
Sailing, also representing the Downes family, finished third in an A30-A4 600 won by Babbas Bongos in 39.96 while John O Kelly’s Cragaknock Corn was third in an A8-A9 525.
The winnerr of the €2,000 purse for the final of the Red Mills All-Ireland seriesd A3 over 525 yards was the Youghal track represenatative, Dower Phanter in 28.57.
There were three more Clare winners at the Limerick meeting on Saturday night.
O’Briensbridge was back on the map when Costa Courta, owned by the Stillhouse syndicate from the South-East Clare village, won all the way in an S3 350. The son of Duke Special-Is de Biz had a clock of 18.66 when beating Doey Mac by seven and a half lengths.
South-East Clare was again on the radar when Rallying Casul, trained by Denis O’Malley for Dan Flynn and Liam Costelloe, Meelick, was first over the line in another sprint race. The son of Black Shaw-Goodbye beat Micks Ketchup, the 6/4 favourite, by two and a half lengths with a time of 18.72.
Ballyhannon (Tucks Mein-Adorableivenita) was back to wining ways for Seamus Dugga, owner and Denis O’Malley trainer. He went off the even money favourite for the second semi-final of the Mary Bridget Dunford A2 Memorial 550 and duly obliged with a trap-to-line win in a time of 30.31. The winning distance was five lengths. The first semi-final heat was won in 29.90 by Tommys Gotashot.
Cherokee Minnie, also trained by Denis O’Malley and owned by JJ O’Mara, Killalloe, finished third in an A1 graded 525 won by Fitz Blackie (28.49).
The next sales at the Limerik stadium will be on Tuesday, August 30 and entries are now being accepted. Entries close this Tuesday at 12 noon. It will be the last of five sales in Limerick for 2011.

Keane to race two in Flaherty Markets final

PAT Hogan’s Aulton Leo and Brendan McDermott’s Hilltop Tomboy qualified for the final of the North Galway Hunt A2 over 525 final when semi-finals of the event were decided at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last Saturday night.
Aulton Leo had a lively start from trap five in the opening semi-final. He had two lengths on his nearest rival at the opening bend but turning down the back the Ger Holian-trained White Coat in trap four switched outside to launch his bid. He did get in front as they came to the third bend and stayed on to beat Pat Hogan’s black by three and a half lengths in 29.99. The West Clare-owned Hilltop Tomboy took third spot.
Noelle’s Hero won the second semi-final in 29.10 from Electro Mac and the JohnMcDonagh-trained Hatchet.
The Broadford-owned Killuran Blonde (Ciarán Cooney) finished third in the opening race of the night, the S7 graded 350, won by Loose Sugan in 19.31.
Two semi finals of an A4 mini stake were also on the card and in the opening heat, Electro Digweed and Tyrur Perry  set the pace. Rounding the bend, the PJ Fahy-owned Tyrur Perry jut edged to the front and racing down the back, the daughter of Kinloch Brae and Tyrur Temptress went three lengths clear of her rivals who were were now headed by Howley’s Boreen. Tyrur Perry went on to win by three lengths and three parts of a length from Howley’s Boreen (Kevin Fahey,Kiltartran) in 29.40.
In the second semi-final, Crafty Amarillo and Holeinthewall were disputing the lead as they headed towards the opening bend but they both moved slightly wide allowing Nells Fantasy to go in front along the rail turning down the far side. Racing past halfway, Tyrur Canavan threw down a challenge on the wide outside but all the while, Holeinthewall (Black Shaw-Unbridled Song) was getting closer along the inside and as they exited the back straight the Up The Wall Syndicate struck for home and the Pat Conway-trained runner kicked clear to defeat Nells Fantasy (Helen O’Brien and Michael Mahony, Miltown Malbay) by over two lengths in 29.47.
Kilmihil owner, Martin J.Keane, qualified for the final of the Flaherty Markets A7 event with his promising newcomer, Hastetothewind. It was no surpise to see him well clear at the opening bend in the first semi-final. He was six lengths clear at the halfway stage and even though he  tired in the closing stages, he still had enough in the tank to beat Daniel’s Apple by two and a half lengths in 29.38. Third spot went to Kno kdine Ash (Helen O’Brien, Miltown Malbay).
Martin Keane  had a second qualifier from the second semi-final with another new name, Restlessfarewell, a litter brother of the Hastetothewind. In this heat, the Oranmore -owned Oranmore Jack dictated matters from the start and finished a three-and-a-quarter-length winner in 20.12 from Restlessfarewell. Crafty Flojo took the last qualifying place.