CLONMEL KICKS OFF FESTIVAL OF RACING WEEKEND

Peter Farrell

Tonight marks the first of three meetings at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium this weekend as the venue launches its annual Festival of Racing.

The action coincides with the National Coursing Meeting at Powerstown Park, with strong attendance expected as patrons travel from far and wide to enjoy a busy on-track programme. A series of sweepstakes get proceedings underway, beginning with the This Runs Deep Unraced 525.

In the curtain-raiser, Droopys Keelin represents the famed Dunphy kennel and, while his qualifying trials have been modest, a sharper debut effort would not come as a major surprise. The second semi-final sees Emers Julie arrive on the back of a promising first run, having clocked 16.81 on debut. The well-bred daughter of Head Bound is fancied to go well for local trainer Emer Dunne.

SPLIT THE POT S3/S4 DUAL-DISTANCE

The 300/325 Split The Pot dual-distance stake follows and Amorim gets the vote for trainer Owen McKenna. Lightly raced with just two starts to her name, the son of Ballymac Cashout–Role Model has shown clear ability in qualifying and, despite proving costly to follow so far, may be capable of opening her account from trap five. The second semi-final looks a more open affair, with He Ran Exile and Roman Emporor both holding claims. Preference is given to the latter, who has been competing in strong company at headquarters in recent weeks. Paraic Campion’s heavyweight should have benefited from those outings and a favourable trap three draw further boosts his prospects.

DROOPYS STUD UNRACED 525

A number of promising youngsters are set to feature in the Droopys Stud Unraced 525, with two semi-finals of the €900-to-the-winner competition on the card. Tom Doyle has a habit of producing good greyhounds and Golden Dewdrop is the selection in the opening semi-final. The September ’24 whelp by Epic Hero posted an encouraging 29.40 in qualifying and that may prove sufficient. Chamberlain Skye also caught the eye in trials and could emerge as a major player from trap four. Quivers Grange brings an unblemished record into the second semi-final and can maintain that run. Jointly owned by P.J and Linda Sugrue, she clocked 29.41 at Curraheen Park and, drawn on the rails in trap one, looks well positioned to assert early control.

DOG OF THE YEAR – DANGAN CONOR 550/575

Another dual-distance contest follows, with the 550/575 trips utilised in this A5 stake. In the opening semi-final, Cloheena Gav is selected to return to winning form for Paul Tideswell. A recent 29.52 scorer, the heavyweight is expected to relish the step up in distance and, as the least experienced runner in the field, has clear scope for improvement. The second semi-final may see Blackrosecyclone make it third time lucky for trainer Gearoid O’Brien. The son of Here Comes Syd has produced two solid efforts in defeat and both suggest he will appreciate the longer trip. Outdoor Jack has attracted strong support in all three career starts and arrives off the back of a commanding Thurles victory, making him another likely to feature prominently.

BITCH OF THE YEAR – POKER QUEEN 550/575

The final two races on the card are reserved for the ladies. Boozed Akela is taken to land a fifth career success in the 550-yard leg of the dual-distance for Paraic Campion. Having won two of her last three starts, a favourable trap two draw gives her every chance to continue that run of form. In the concluding semi-final, Stipe Jimboy brings solid Enniscorthy form into the equation. Ned Freeman’s charge has been a consistent money-earner and, while this represents her first outing at Clonmel, she has the experience to adapt to the Tipperary circuit.