IRELAND’S FASTEST TO PUT ON A SHOW AT DUNDALK
Ian Fortune
There is nothing like watching elite sprinters reaching top gear on the long run to the corner.
It’s even more impressive when it comes at Dundalk, a track which is absolutely made for speed merchants. Tonight, the Dowdallshill venue will welcome Ireland’s very best two-bend trackers for the quarter finals of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup and there is simply no room for error.
SUPERB SYD CAN ACCOUNT FOR ALDO
Each of the four heats are hugely competitive but the undoubted highlight is Heat 2 where the defending champion Carrick Aldo will face his toughest ever task over two bends when taking on the recent track record breaker Broadstrand Syd.
The latter posted a stunning 20.57 in the opening round, earning his place in history, before recovering from a tardy start and an early bump to win his second-round assignment.
While the four remaining competitors are talented, including former Produce Stakes winner Burgess Supreme, it’s difficult to see beyond the big two. Carrick Aldo has slowly been finding his very best form but needs to come through the bars this evening to account for Broadstrand Syd.
The track record holder is a very special tracker. His pace into the turn is almost unmatched and should he trap on terms, he could very quickly emerge as the one to beat again. Broadstrand Syd and Carrick Aldo can race clear of their rivals to finish in the same order.
FLYING FINN HAS THE DRAW
Former Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn is housed to play a big part in the opening heat.
While probably better suited by four bends, he has the all-round pace to get involved from an inside draw. Were he to make a fast start, he would be prominent into the turn.
Given the fact that there is very little between the other five participants in terms of recent form, it could get very tight into the turn. In such circumstances, an inside pitch could make the difference for Ballymac Finn.
Laughil Bruce is another with an ideal draw in the stripes. He flew home in both rounds to date and remains unbeaten in the competition. The Declan Crossan trained powerhouse will again finish fast and, were he to turn close, he could have a big say.
Meenagh Monito went up fast last week but was found wanting from the second turn. He needs another flying start. Fleadh Rileigh is certainly worth a second look. She has been in superb form and could also figure if hitting the ground running.
The massive Skidrow Joe and Manalishi Jet complete the line-up. Both will need to beat their sharpest but the make-up of this contest means neither can be dismissed. Slight preference is for Ballymac Finn but nothing will come easy in this contest.
KURSK AND JUNIOR SET FOR BATTLE
Trinity Junior is the best drawn greyhound of the entire third round.
The 2023 Champion Stakes winner had been running hard in recent weeks and is again likely to do his best work from the opening turn to the winning line.
Peppered Sean is a fast start in trap two but tends to move off the fence in the opening yards. That should leave Trinity Junior with plenty of room to get up to top stride. No matter the winner, Trinity Junior won’t be far away.
Trap three is vacant following the news that Neon Nite picked up an injury last week and the extra room will suit those on the outside of the track. On The Nose and Pavilion Fire are both running well but Elite Kursk is perhaps the one to beat.
A rapidly improving son of Elite Black, he was brilliant in both rounds to date. He has both tremendous early speed and the power to make full use of the long run for home. It’s been a very difficult week for Myles Roban. He lost his father Padge early in the week but you can be certain he will be looking down offering his support.
Elite Kursk may not need the help, however. His progress to this point strongly resembles that of Carrick Aldo twelve months ago. Should he start on terms, Elite Kursk could dip under the 21 second barrier and that could be enough to see him lower the colours of Trinity Junior.
KOBE SET TO SLAM RIVALS
There is no ease in quality in the final heat. The presence of reigning Derby champion The Other Kobe adds to the intrigue.
The sensational son of Ballymac Best has yet to win over two bends but he finally has a draw to savour this evening.
Drawn in red, the Graham Holland trained star looks certain to make a bold bid. Should he trap on terms, he need only concentrate on getting to the turn as fast as he can, rather than trying to maneouvre his way onto the fence. For that reason he looks a big player.
Of his rivals, his hugely talented kennel companion Romeo Taylor and proven sprinter Road Exile stand out as the main dangers. Romeo Taylor was brilliant in the opening round, flashing from traps to dominate in 20.91. He is in consistent at the traps, however, and that is a concern. If he were to miss the start, as he did last week, he could find himself with an uphill climb.
In contrast, Road Exile is pretty consistent. He emerged on top last week, beating Romeo Taylor by over two lengths last week. He will need another slick exit but has obvious claims.
Zippy Canning, Waltzers Star and Dynamic Force are all talented sprinters and can’t be completely dismissed but their overall body of work isn’t quite up to the standard of the big three. The Other Kobe is chosen to make the most of his inside draw to see off Road Exile and Romeo Taylor.