IRISH SPRINT CUP THRILLER TO LIGHT UP DUNDALK
Ian Fortune
It’s August 15th. That can mean only one thing.
All roads lead to Dundalk for the final of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup. One of the great traditional dates on the calendar, tonight’s contest should provide an outstanding conclusion to what has been an exceptional renewal of the sprint classic.
SYD THE ONE TO BEAT
Carrick Aldo bids to defend the title he won in such spectacular fashion exactly a year ago but standing in his way are some very talented rivals including Road Exile, Elite Kursk, Ballymac Finn and On The Nose.
But the largest shadow is being cast by Broadstrand Syd, who seems to have the classic at his mercy.
The brilliant son of Droopys Sydney will start at odds-on to land the €20,000 prize and there are few that would argue that he is the one to beat. In his brief career, the Johnny Linehan trained star has quickly established himself as one of the true superstars of our sport.
He began his career at Kilkenny in the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny and his promise was immediately evident. He displayed further signs of a brilliance in the valuable David Fitzgibbon Memorial at Cork but it was a step back in trip to 400yds around Dundalk that saw him really capture the imagination of the race-going public.
He was installed the sponsor’s favourite to land the classic before he even stepped foot on the Dundalk sand and their faith was totally justified. Those reading this know exactly how fast he went in the opening round, his first ever sprint start.
Showing sensational speed and power, he destroyed the previous track record. It was one of the greatest runs ever seen on these shores and one that established him firmly as the one to beat in the classic.
His second and third round efforts weren’t as brilliant but he returned to his very best in the semis, posting a stunning 20.60. From a kind draw in two this evening, the sensationally fast tracker need only to come away on terms. If doing so, his unmatched pace into the turn could make the difference.
ALDO BIDS TO CREATE HISTORY
Those looking to lower his colours this evening will be hanging on to the fact that it is a sprint and any mistakes, however small, can prove very costly.
There is little room for error and there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings should Broadstrand Syd fluff his lines.
Chief amongst them is the aforementioned Carrick Aldo. A brilliant winner twelve months ago, he was impressive through the early rounds only to produce a slightly uncharacteristic run in the semi-finals when needing to dig deep to even qualify despite making a fast start.
When he went to the accelerator, it didn’t quite engage. Thankfully for his supporters, the David Murray trained star did fly up the home straight to progress. Given his incredible career and talent, he can be forgiven for that effort and remains one of the main dangers to the favourite.
As he did last year, he wears the orange of five and his connections will be praying he can reproduce th sort of run that saw him come home clear in 2023. If finding a way to emerge on top, he would become just the second ever dual winner of the classic after 2018 and 2019 winner Ardnasool Jet.
EXILE CAN HAVE A BIG SAY
Road Exile will bid to give Pat Buckley a first win in the classic. Buckley has won virtually every major event on the calendar through his stellar career but an Irish Sprint Cup success has eluded him.
In the form of his Kingdom Derby champion Road Exile, he has obvious claims.
He returned to his very best in the semis, showing massive early speed to take over from Carrick Aldo into the bend. It was evidence of the fact that he is peaking at the right time. A trap four draw looks close to ideal and he can quickly emerge as a big player if trapping on terms.
There is little doubt he may need Broadstrand Syd to make a little slip up at trap rise as it would be a very big ask for him to lead that rival off a level start but anything is possible. Certainly, Road Exile knows what is needed to win on the big stage and the occasion won’t faze him.
KURSK FAR FROM A BOX-FILLER
Elite Kursk has been nothing short of a revelation through the competition.
There were signs before the opening round that he was a progressive tracker with plenty of ability. He dipped under the 350yd track record at Enniscorthy in a trial before improving with each of his three outings in the early rounds.
In fact, Myles Roban talented son of Elite Black was unbeaten in the stake head of the semis where he ran into a rampant Broadstrand Syd. Even in defeat he impressed, finishing well clear of his remaining rivals in second spot.
He too has a kind draw in the stripes and it would be no surprise to see him having a big say in tonight’s outcome. A fast start would aid his cause but that goes without saying. Win, lose or draw, he is here to stay and should be followed in the coming months.
FLYING FINN A CREDIT TO CONNECTIONS
Much has been said about in the inside box for the sprint trip at Dundalk.
Some dogs handle it, other don’t. One suspects, Ballymac Finn will be one of the latter. A true professional with real pace and class, he can’t be dismissed despite double figure quotes about Liam Dowling’s 2022 Derby runner-up.
He may be in the twilight of his career but retains real ability and will be ready to pounce if there is any crowding on his outer. It’s an indication of his versatility and ability that he took to sprinting so late in his career but he certainly hasn’t looked out of place in recent weeks.
INEXPERIENCED ON THE NOSE BIDS FOR SHOCK SUCCESS
On The Nose is the rank outsider of the field.
He bids to hand Peter Cronin a second win in the classic after Crokers Champ in 2014.
He will undoubtedly need to produce a career best effort to come out on top but stranger things have happened.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Palermo is the most inexperienced runner in the line-up but has shown plenty of promise. His best clock through the prelims was 21.18 but there is certainly another length or two in him if he can find a flying exit. That seems to be his best hope of success, although he is fully deserving of his place in the decider.
SYD LOOKS SPECIAL
It’s really is a tremendous contest, packed with quality.
Broadstrand Syd is very special and if he comes away racing, his rivals could be left chasing shadows. So many of the very fastest greyhounds to ever grace the Irish track scene have tackled the 400yd trip at Dundalk over the past two decades and not one has gone within two lengths of Broadstrand Syd’s track record.
His 20.57 return stands out as one of best track records in the country. To get to within a half-length of that mark last week just highlights how special he is. Carrick Aldo, Road Exile and Elite Kursk are all greatly respected but tonight can see Broadstrand Syd become a classic winner for the first time. If trapping on terms, he can produce another masterclass to lead home a brilliant field. Best of luck to all involved.