Red Mills Champion Unraced 2013

Finally, there is a small bit of kindness in the weather, the grass is green again, and there is a stretch in the evenings.   The greyhound racing scene is also getting warmer, and its time for many to produce their red hot pups, for the Red Mills Champion Unraced.   For many greyhound men and women in Kilkenny this is the greatest time of the year.   We have just concluded a super McCalmont Cup, won by a Red Mills Unraced graduate, Boherna Rumble , and now we face into one of Ireland's premier juvenile events.     There is also added spice to it now that it is followed closely by the Red Mills juvenile, the competition that heralded the arrivals of Derby winner Skywalker Puma and SIS Gold Cup Winner Priceless Sky.

However, it is the unraced that has really given us first sight of some of the stars fo the game over the years.  Pat Dalton's great brood bitch Airport Express took the laurels in 2001.   Spiral Nikita, Lemon Sash, Yahoo Jamie, Pacific Mile, Cool Performance, Definate Opinion, He Said So, Lax Law, Kilmessan Jet all started out in this great competition.   For those of you of a certain vintage, go back to one of the greats, Suir Miller, who Michael Barret brought down from Crohane to compete in the 1980 running.    Suir Miller won it, and went straight to Shelbourne park to compete in and win the 1980 Derby.

Rather disappointing is the volume of entries this year, back to 36 from last years 66, but the quality is by no means lacking.     To scan through the card there are few with breeding that indicates huge potential.

In the opening heat the Peter Cronin trained Dodging Bullets (Head Bound - Borna Skylark) is from a great early paced damline, and you don't have to move too far back in his pedgree to see the link to Produce Stakes winner and multiple track record holder, Geldrops Touch.   While Paddy Ryan is introducing a beautifully bred dog in Ruby Rouge (Big Daddy Cool - Finally Arrived) who is a half brother to Munster Oaks winner Beaming Olive.

Shaneboy Novak (Black Shaw - Shaneboy Kylie) is an interesting sort in the second heat, while Global Tally Ho (Westmead Hawk - Droopys Cher) is a member of a maiden litter for Droopys Cher a first round winner (29.41) in the 2011 Red Mills. 

In Heat 3, Sidaz Eagle (Westmead Hawk - Soviet Cheyenne) is the obvious standout.   A half brother to Matt O'Donnell's super charge, Ardfert Thunder, this pup has some super qualifying efforts on his card.   While in trap two Express Dasher (Kiowa Sweet Trey - Express Mist), is a grandson of the aforementioned Airport Express and a full brother to superb stayer Express Trend (from a repeat mating).

In heat 4, Bellmore Torres (Ja Mann - Shelbourne Capri) and Loansome Boatman (Scolari Me Daddy - Mrs De) have both qualified in impressive fashion.

Burgess Rumble (Ace Hi Rumble - Rising Angel) is a half brother to English Derby winner Taylors Sky, and he has a couple of nice Youghal qualifying efforts on his card.      While in the final heat, Lemon Dolores (Razldazl Billy - Lemon Abby) represents the Lennons of Thresscastles, and this bitch is a half sister to their stud dog, Scolari Me Daddy.

So, there is plenty to ponder there and a trip to Kilkenny on Friday night for any greyhound enthusiast is the area is a must.

Red Mills Unraced

The €12,000 Red Mills Champion Open Unraced was due to start at Kilkenny Track on Sunday May 5th at 3pm. However the Hurling League Final which features both Kilkenny & Tipperary is scheduled for Nowlan Park on the same day and at the same time so Kilkenny Track has decided to revert back to its original date which is the Friday May 3rd. We were hoping to get in an afternoon meeting on the Bank Holiday Weekend but it wont work out this time.

So owners & trainers please note that the Red Mills Open Unraced starts Friday May 3rd, 1st race 8pm. Entries are slow to come in so would owners & trainers please submit their entries asap. It carries a winners prize of €5,000 & will be followed by The Red Mills Champion Juvenile. With both stakes upcoming it gives trainers a great opportunity to get some proper schooling into their pups

McCalmont Cup

Entries for the  McCalmont Cup have poured in over the weekend and it has filled up nicely and will start this Friday Night. The McCalmont Cup is a famous competion on the greyhound calendar and one which attracts plenty of quality, the 2013 version will be no exception. Outside challengers come in the form of Swift Marathon, Danmar Benny, Dragon Shield, Killinan Cash & Bua Tommy. Local hopes rest on the shoulders of the likes of Mickys Trickster, Garryglass Marco, Figaruso, Buddy Minor, Yonko & Princess Gael. The McCalmont Cup is jointly sponsored By The Kilford Arms Hotel & The Track Supporters Club.

Fridays card is also a benefit night for The Irish Kidney Association. Paul Hennessy has generously donated a well bred 8 month old bitch( Premier Fantasy - Dream Ahead) which will be auctioned on the night. Dream Ahead, a 29.00 winner is a daughter of Top Honcho - Graigues Toss and is a half sister of Stateside Troika & Graigues Junior.

Theres plenty of action this week at Kilkenny Track with 3 finals down for decision on Wednesday night, the final of the Freshford C.C A4 525, final of the N2 525 and final of the Coursig Bred Open Unraced should attract plenty of interest.

Owners & Trainers are reminded that The Red Mills Champion Open Unraced will start in the 1st week of May and carries a winners prize of €5,000