EXILE SETS THE STANDARD IN IRISH SPRINT CUP
Ian Fortune
After impressing on Dundalk International night, the Pat Buckley trained Road Exile again displayed massive early speed to set a strong standard in the opening round of the Bar On Racing Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk on Saturday evening.
It was disappointing that two of the best sprinters in training, Flashing Willow and reigning Sprinter of the Year Gizmo Cash were both withdrawn through injury but those that did turn up produced some superb action.
EXILE TOO SHARP
In terms of the clock, Road Exile had to take the headlines.
Racing from trap three in Heat 7, the talented son of Droopys Sydney was electric in the early yards, quickly building a lead of a length over Hawkfield Ava before easing on to score by three and a quarter lengths in 20.94. Verratti was another three parts of a away in third.
GETTING IT RIGHT AGAIN
Next fastest was Amanda Jeal’s Get It Right as lived up to his name in the second heat.
In victory he brought his career record to three wins from three starts, with each of them coming over the 400yd trip.
There was a level start but the Ollie Bray trained Get It Right soon engaged the boosters to lead Jacktavern Bolt into the turn. It was all very straight forward thereafter as he ran out a ready two and a quarter length winner over Jacktavern Bolt in a rapid 21.04.
PAVILION ON FIRE
Pavilion Fire and Who Have I were next with both scoring in 21.10.
The Aidan McVeigh trained son of Good News was simply too sharp for his rivals, flying from trap five to dominate throughout. He went on to by Corbrack Prince by three and three quarter lengths.
A DOUBLE FOR O’DONOVAN
Who Have I won in similar style to initiate a quick double for Michael O’Donovan although he had to work a little harder to get the better of his rivals into the turn.
Once leading at this point, he ran a good bend to increase his advantage before going on to beat Airdown Tee Jai by two and three quarter lengths in 21.10.
BOBBY COMPLETES THE DOUBLE
The O’Donovan double came just fifteen minutes later with Blackstone Bobby taking over on the bend to assert.
He had to stick to his task with Pintsnotpilates closing to the line but Blackstone Bobby took the verdict by a length and a quarter in 21.36.
CRONIN WITH A BRACE
Peter Cronin also recorded a double with Yahoo Sydney and Angry Grandad coming home in front in their respective heats.
Yahoo Sydney broke fastest to make every inch in Heat 3 for a length and three quarters success over High Trend in 21.25, while Angry Grandad burst to the front on the bend before running on well to win Heat 8 by an ever-widening four lengths in 21.34.
WINX TAKES FLIGHT
Liam Dowling had a remarkable night winning big prizes at both Curraheen Park and Cork as well as winning Heat 9 with Ballymac Winx.
Only second into the turn, she railed tightly to lead the field into the straight before going on to beat Maireads Best by two and a quarter lengths in 21.29.
A JOKER IN THE PACK
Shea Campbell’s talented young sprinter Stefans Joker returned to winning ways in the penultimate heat.
Showing superb pace into the turn to ease clear before seeing off the rallying Ross Dame by two lengths in 21.31.
MOLLY BRINGS THE CURTAIN DOWN
The sponsors ante-post favourite Rathdown Molly brought the curtain down with a narrow victory over Chelms Skippy.
This was a tremendous buckle between the pair, but ultimately the superb experience and track craft of Rathdown Molly proved the difference.
Chelms Skippy displayed plenty of pace but ran of the turn and stayed wide into the straight allowing Rathdown Molly assert. He came roaring back at the leader but the Marie Gilbert trained speedster held on by a short head in 21.37.