SYD AND EXILE EXPLOSIVE IN IRISH SPRINT CUP
Ian Fortune
The stage is set for the most incredible finish to the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup on Thursday next after two stunning semi-final displays at Dundalk on Saturday night.
Connections of Road Exile will be particularly delighted as he returned to his very best to lower the colours of former Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn and the defending champion Carrick Aldo but Broadstrand Syd will start favourite to become a classic winner after another scarcely believable run in the opening heat.
STUNNING SYD IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN
It's been very evident from the start of his career that the Johnny Linehan trained Broadstrand Syd is very special. Few greyhounds have ever possessed the type of early speed he has at his disposal and his wide margin success in Saturday’s opening semi-final was simply different class.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice faced some notable rivals including Elite Kursk and Romeo Taylor but left them standing. Owned by the Ryan, Drake, Donovan Syndicate, Broadstrand Syd found his trapping boots and within a matter of strides it was over as a contest.
Showing the most electric early dash, Broadstrand Syd powered into a bear three lengths lead. Elite Kursk also displayed superb early speed to master On The Nose and Romeo Taylor into the bend but he had little chance of getting back on terms with the pace-setter.
Running a far more fluent corner than seven days earlier, Broadstrand Syd increased his advantage over Elite Kursk to hit the second turn with four lengths in hand and he was relentless for the remainder of the contest. Powering home, the brilliant tracker went on to beat Elite Kursk by six lengths in a magical 20.60. Not only was his run just three spots slower than his own track record, but it was also the second fastest time ever recorded at the Dowdallshill venue. Elite Kursk ran his heart out in second and deserves his place in the decider, while On The Nose displayed plenty of determination to finish four and a half lengths adrift in third.
EXILE ON THE ROAD TO THE DECIDER
The second heat saw Road Exile come roaring back to his best for Pat Buckley and Richard Colwell. Carrick Aldo was sharpest at traps and seemed destined to emerge a good winner when leading for the opening fifty yards but Road Exile really did fly.
Showing terrific early speed up the inside of Carrick Aldo, he joined and headed the defending champion as they approached the corner. It was a decisive maneouvre. The Kingdom Derby winner late last year, Road Exile is as strong as he is fast and he charged clear to put the race out of the reach of those in chase.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile powered home to contain Ballymac Finn, who moved second on the turn as Carrick Aldo steered a middle path. Carrick Aldo looked under serious pressure at one point when finding himself out of the qualifying positions but he flew home to earn his right to defend his title on Thursday.
Road Exile has no such worries. The hugely talented brindle raced on to score by a length and a quarter from Ballymac Finn in 20.89. Carrick Aldo flew home to finish just a head back in third.
BAR ONE RACING IRISH SPRINT CUP
Final draw
1 Ballymac Finn
2 Broadstrand Syd
3 On The Nose (m)
4 Road Exile (m)
5 Carrick Aldo (m)
6 Elite Kursk (w)