Uncle Willie take the Sean Flynn Memorial

On Friday we had the final of the Sean Flynn Memorial A3 525. This final boasted a cool €1,500 to the winner and no doubt the Richard Dempsey owned Uncle Willie was a worthy winner.   After two impressive displays winning the opening round in 29.05 and the semi final in 29.07, Uncle Willie was opened at the very short price of 4/6, but that didn't deter the punters, and they went after the price and returned the dog a 1/2 shot.   As the lids opened Willie shot to the bend and for many it was all over, but Soldier Laddie, went off in pursuit and pushed 'Willie all the way to line, but the winner did it in style none the less.  

Burgess, A Derby Star

The rain swept accross James' park last Friday evening and most people of sound mind would take one look out the window and seek solace in a hot cuppa tae and turf fire.   However, doggy people are often questioned for their relative levels of sanity, and they all came out in force to witness a superb nights action at Kilkenny Track.

The showpiece being the Langton Derby, and this year it has again given us a very good winner, in Co. Cork dog Burgess Star.    The stake has had its share of thrills and spills throughout and the final followed true to form, with near carnage at the first bend which all but ended the chances of every dog bar 'Burgess', whose superb foot to be bend saw him sneak ahead of the trouble of open up down the back straight and go on to score by 5L from Cool Disguised, in an impressive 29.19.

Burgess Star - 2011 Langton Derby Winner

Langton Derby Final Night

Friday night will see over €12,000 in prize money handed out in Kilkenny, on that is traditionally one of the best nights racing of the year in the Kilkenny track.

The showpiece event is the Langton Derby, which despite not attracting a massive entry this year it has attracted a lot of serious quality.   Last year’s stake gave one the fastest ever winner of the stake in Moral Duty, whose 28.78 is the fastest spin around James’ Park since the track redevelopment.