Irish Derby contender Ryhope Beach breaks 29.00 second in Tralee trial run for ‘Curley’ O’Donovan
A LOT of the top outside trainers speak highly of the racing surface at Tralee Track and, in clear proof of that, Tipperary’s Michael ‘Curley’ O’Donovan brought his fancied Boylesports Irish Derby contender, Ryhope Beach, for a 525 trial at the Oakview venue before racing last Friday night.
Ryhope Beach broke the magical 29.00 second barrier in that trial by clocking 27.94, though the going was rated .20 fast, and it will be very interesting to see how he follows up in the opening round of the classic this weekend.
The Derby has a winner’s purse of €125,000 this year, with Boylesports committed to backing it until 2026, and the 8/1 long-odds favourite is Coolavanny Hoffa, trained by none other than the aforementioned ‘Curley’ O’Donovan.
Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Marino is the best fancied of the Kerry contenders on 14/1 with the sponsors.
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DOUBLES for Causeway owner, John O’Shea, and Millstreet owner, Donal G O’Mahony, both in rich veins of form, provided the main talking-points at last week’s Tuesday SIS meeting at Tralee Track.
On going rated .10 fast, O’Shea won with Spiritual Lady (29.18) and Ameeragh Choice (29.67), while O’Mahony’s double was achieved with Millridge Leya (28.74) and Millridge Lily, which clocked a fastest of the night 28.67 in the concluding A2 525.
Other winners: Villa Green, 28.87; Send It Pine, 28.72; Lassinagh Dream, 29.33; Mystic Showtime, 29.24; Lissycasey Albie, 29.57; Baltovin Sophia, 29.36.
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THE summer wasn’t long passing, and it’s coming up to Rose of Tralee time again, which means the start of the Rose Of Tralee A4 525 Sweepstake at the Oakview venue this Friday night.
The final of this sweepstake is always a major occasion and there have been some great winners of it over the years. This year will surely be no different, with entry, it should be noted, confined to greyhounds that must have raced at least once around Tralee.
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GREYHOUND Racing Ireland will have a new CEO from next November in Bandon man, Tim Lucey, who is currently the Chief Executive of Cork County Council. A pretty high profile appointment this and one that the greyhound industry certainly needs.
