Sunday June the 19th sees the annual BEAM Gala race night at Kilkenny Greyhound Track. The event is now one of the highlight of the racing calendar, and as always will draw a massive crowd for this very worthy cause. BEAM, Bagnelstown are a wonderful charity, doing Trojan work for people with special needs from their resource centre in Bagnelstown, and this night is their primary annual fund raiser. This is the 22nd year that Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium has hosted the event and over the course of the 22 years BEAM have raised over €400,000 for the charity.
However, this is no ordinary benefit night. It brings us one of the best cards of the year. On the night there will be a whopping €35,000 in prize money handed out, on a card that has seven finals up for decision, from A7 all the way up the scale to Open class, ensuring there was a chance at a big pot for every class of dog.
On the night the highlight for many will be the Red Mills Cup, a one off Open competition for 6 open class dogs with a winner’s prize of 2,500 on offer. This is sure to attract some really top dogs, and once entry is confirmed a form guide will be posted here.
Many eyes will also be on the final of the Dobbs Oil Open unraced stake, which often gives us a star, and this year we have a very good final. Bellmore Woody, a black and white Head Bound dog, from a litter sister to Shelbourne Aston will be favourite, but he won’t have it simple, and Shaneboy Dream ( Premier Fantasy – Shaneboy Dorie) and Now It’s Alex (Westmead Hawk – Dalcash Diva) have shown serious pace at times in the first two rounds, and should challenge strongly.
We also have the final of the Stone Developments Tri Distance over 750 yards, and this also has the making of a good one over 750yrds. Last week, Shaun Gresham and Alfe Ashe’s, He Went Woosh certainly did go Woosh over the 725 trip, and if he leads it will take some effort to catch him, but Mary and Larry Buggy’s Kilgraney Sport and John Kellehers Fleeting Image are top class over this trip and will both have their supporters.
Along with these we also have the finals of the €4500 McDonnell Clan A7 in which Lafontom, Paddys Kimberly and Melodies Abbie will vie for favouritism. The €4000 BEAM A5 stake final will have Kilkenny specialist Knockdrina Deco from the white jacket the one to beat. The €4500 Black and Amber racing A3 final is a wide open affair, but the nod goes to William Hanlon’s Ballygur Ted, who was unlucky in the McCalmont cup final when drawn in 6, but can make amends for that from the 2 box on Sunday. The €2600 FFK Stud A1 final is another wide open affair, but early paced Soldier Laddie put in a super run last week, with 4.49 up and stopped the clock at 29.02, and a repeat would be hard bet.
All this before we get a look at the remaining 4 Open Class contests that will also feature in the card. First race goes to traps at 7.30 on Sunday night, and there are a host of great prizes on offer on the night. A night not to be missed, and all for €10 to a very worthy cause.
