Mandolin calls the tune in the Time International
Droopys Mandolin proved too strong for her rivals in Friday’s €20,000 Time International at Dundalk for owners Alan and Patrick Dobbs.
The Robert Gleeson-trained black had to dig deep from halfway to overhaul Tribal Syd. He had taken advantage of being the sole seeded runner to slip clear off the second bend. Favourite for the Irish Oaks Final last month at Shelbourne, she is a 25/1 chance to head back to Dublin and claim Derby glory in November.
Unanimouspanther did his reputation no harm in third. The National Produce Stakes winner, an 87lb behemoth, didn’t lose an inch down the back to the leading pair. This was just his 11th career start so he could have better still to come. A slow start costing him any chance of making a serious impression.
At Shelbourne, Yorkie Ollie backed up his 28.00 trial with a 15.5-length win, clocking 28.09 in the unraced stake. He was the quickest qualifier for the semi-finals by 21 spots over Tullig Trigger who landed heat two. Vivaro Ceyian and Annual Tom were the other two heat winners.
If you missed the Time International you can watch it below.
Swindon announce new Produce Stakes entry system
From this year onwards, the entry procedure for the produce stakes will be changed to bring it inline with other category one competitions.
The old system, with entry at litter stage and three subsequent acceptance stages will be replaced by a single entry at no cost, as with other competitions. Closing date is NOON on Monday 26 August. Although that is a bank holiday, the office will be open to take last minute entries.
The first round will be held on Thursday 29 August, with each round on consecutive Thursdays until the final on 19 September.
Greyhounds must be British bred, whelped in 2022 and fully named and registered in the Greyhound Stud Book.
Prize money will be £10,000+ Trophy for the winner, £2,000 for second and £1,000 for other finalists. The breeder of the winner will receive £2,000+ Trophy with breeders of the other finalists receiving £500
Earlier rounds will carry standard Swindon open race prize money.
Triple Cat 1 action starts tonight
Today is busy with the opening round of three Cat 1 competitions. Hove hosts the PGR Regency and Coral Sussex Cup while the BetGoodwin Pall Mall starts at Oxford.
The ante post markets have been relatively quiet for all three with no more than a few nibbles at prices.
We’ll have a Crayfoot Ball
Crayford is ready to roar on the Three Lions on Sunday – and racegoers will not miss a minute!
The Kent track will be broadcasting the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain during racing on Sunday night and, with the meeting kicking off at 6.08pm, customers are being promised a wall-to-wall evening of entertainment.
The big match begins at 8pm – when the 12-race card including the Category One Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle semi-finals will be in full swing – and the action from Berlin will be on the screens round the stadium.
Crayford will be staying open later than usual for racegoers to see if Gareth Southgate’s men can seal a historic triumph.
Stadium manager Wayne Crittenden said: “We’re looking forward to Sunday and hope those visiting us really enjoy their night, with some quality racing on and, of course, the big game from Germany.
“We’ve got the Champion Hurdle semi-finals, a Category Three final and another Category Three competition starting. It should make for a really enjoyable atmosphere and, fingers crossed, we get the right result!
“Hopefully, we get a decent turnout and it’ll be a memorable evening all round.”
Look out for Syd and Bungle on Sunday – they have a lot to live up to.
Towcester’s Juvenile Classic – sponsored this year for the first time by the Genco Group – has proven a great window on future talent.
Last year’s final was won by Droopys Clue, with New Destiny the beaten favourite. The 2022 decider, won by Antigua Sugar, included future Birmingham Cup winner Ivanexile, and Leger winner Havana Lover. The 2021 decider was won by Brookside Richie with Ing Leger winner Blueberry Bullet a couple of places back.
Perhaps the most intriguing heat is the third, which features two hounds of particular interest. Kevin Hutton’s Rioja Bungle looked a youngster of huge talent when hitting the scene back in March. A home bred, he lacked experience and was beaten in his first couple of races but clocked 26.62 for Oxford’s 450m when just 18 months old.
His education continued with a series of trials before he headed to Newcastle and destroyed the opposition in the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby clocking 28.37 in the final. There was another glimpse of talent when. clocking 28.92 in another confined race at Towcester back in June.
He is drawn up against Irish raider Syd Zafiro. Paul Matthews’ runner has three wins from seven races in Ireland, but in classy company. They include a 28.37 for Shelbourne’s shorter four bends (28.23 in a trial) and a 29.46 for the Irish Derby trip. He finished fourth in the Shelbourne Champion 550 final.
In addition to being among the most exciting young dogs in the event, they share a connection. Bungle’s dam Bull Run Byte won an English Oaks. Syd’s dam Susie Sapphire won an Irish Oaks . . . .oh, and an Irish Derby too.
Hove are to stage a Greyhound Welfare Day this coming Wednesday when a number of guest speakers will highlight various topics of interest including track preparation and massage.
Racing Manager Rob Abrey said: “We invite anyone who would like to attend to contact us at [email protected].
Opens
Tonight: Central Park ♦ Doncaster ♦ Hove ♦ Oxford ♦ Perry Barr
Sunday: Crayford ♦ Sheffield ♦ Towcester
