OZARK RACES TO BRILLIANT IRISH SPRINT CUP SUCCESS
Ian Fortune
Hawkfield Ozark raced to a brilliant success in the final of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup at a busy Dundalk on Monday evening.
After a weekend of no racing, a large crowd turned out for the traditional August 15th showpiece and they were treated to a wonderful night of racing action.
But Hawkfield Ozark was the undoubted star of proceedings as he produced a near-perfect display of sprinting to land the €20,000 prize for Jerry Connors and Keeley McGee. Serene Ace was understandably the hot favourite following four brilliant displays through the prelims but, for the first time in the classic, he was headed at boxes.
Hawkfield Ozark came through the bars from trap three and was soon in command. Serene Ace was soon in chase while Flashing Willow, after a slow start, soon bettered Westside Frank and Manuone to move third into the turn. Runninta Shay completely missed the kick and was never in a position to threaten.
Serene Ace chased hard into the turn and was just under a length behind as they began to turn. Hawkfield Ozark wasn’t going to surrender his advantage, however. Driving the corner, the talented son of Laughil Blake and Brownstown Tango cut off his rival to lead by two lengths. Serene Ace was now being pressed by Flashing Willow but the leader was on his way to a famous success.
Powering up the straight, Hawkfield Ozark emerged a deserving two and a quarter length success in a fast 20.89. It was clearly a career best display by the winner but there was nothing lucky about his success. On the night that mattered, the blue did what was needed.
Serene Ace contained the challenge of Flashing Willow up the straight to grab second, with his rival just three parts of a length away in third. One suspects, given the limited opportunities for sprinters, that the first three home could clash again in the coming months. And that is something to look forward to.
Video: Watch the 2022 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup Final
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