KURSK FASTEST AS SYD SURVIVES SCARE IN IRISH SPRINT CUP
Ian Fortune
A week after the fireworks of Broadstrand Syd’s track record breaking display in the opening round, there was far less between the fastest and slowest heat winners in the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk on Saturday night.
Honour of setting the standard went to the rapidly improving Elite Kursk as he posted 21.00, while Broadstrand Syd almost enhanced his reputation despite going some eight lengths slower than seven days earlier. Others to impress included Trinity Junior, Road Exile and Ballymac Finn, while defending champion Carrick Aldo also came home in front despite giving his rivals a head start.
AN ELITE DISPLAY FROM KURSK
Elite Kursk was one of the eye-catchers of the opening round but he surpassed that effort in Heat 5, storming into the turn to challenge the flying starter Zippy Canning before bursting clear for a superb three and a half length victory.
Myles Roban’s tracker, who only turned two in June, is certainly hugely progressive and he really did seize his opportunity with all four paws. Powering home, the talented son of Elite Black and Minnies Kursk drew away to claim a fourth career success in a quick 21.00. Zippy Canning was second with a further length to Pavilion Team in third.
ALDO GETS ONE STEP CLOSER TO DEFENDING HIS TITLE
Thomas Glynn’s Carrick Aldo slightly mistimed the start in the last of the eight heats but the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Minnies Hazel was soon into stride.
So too was Meenagh Monito as he quickly mastered Fleadh Rileigh to lead the field into the turn.
Quarry Boy also went up fast but the David Murray trained Carrick Aldo was ultimately too close in third. Despite being forced to steer a slightly wide path, around the front two, he hit the front as they turned for home. Fleadh Rileigh was now back in contention after running a fine bend but Carrick Aldo is a class act and he ran right to the line to add to his already impressive tally for a length and a half verdict in 21.05. Fleadh Rileigh was second with Meenagh Monito another length and a quarter away in third.
SYD FINDS A WAY TO WIN AGAIN
Broadstrand Syd will no doubt remain the hot favourite to land the Irish Sprint Cup after recovering from an early scare in Heat 3.
The first to show at traps were Dynamic Fair and Bobsleigh Syd. Behind the duo, reigning Derby champ The Other Koke took a step to his left, bumping Broadstrand Syd in the process.
A week after smashing the track record, the Johnny Linehan trained star found himself a bad fourth behind three talented sprinters. What was to follow was further evidence that the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice is a bit special.
With the Bobsleigh Syd up front disputing the lead from trap one, Broadstrand Syd found room on the fence and he made full use of it. Showing extraordinary early speed, he shot up the inside of The Other Kobe and Bobsleigh Syd to challenge the leader Dynamite Force on the corner.
The front two may have bumped slightly but Broadstrand Syd was now perfectly positioned. Owned by the Ryan, Drake, Donovan Syndicate, the hot favourite moved into a narrow lead as they turned for home. Dynamic Force was hugely determined in second and attempted to come back at the leader but Broadstrand Syd held on by three parts of a length in 21.13. The Other Kobe carried some luck, grabbing third in the latter yards as Corkers Sydney and Bobsleigh Syd clashed on the run in.
FLYING FINN SHOWS HIS CLASS
2022 Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn made his class count in Heat 4.
Breaking smartly, he held a narrow advantage in the early yards although Robbies Tiger joined him at the turn. Ballymac Finn remained focused, however.
Liam Dowling’s brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Petsy eased on as they turned for home before staying on strongly to eventually win by two and a quarter lengths in 21.07. Burgess Supreme came through for second with Robbies Tiger qualifying in third, just three parts of a length adrift.
EXILE DRIVES THE BEND
Road Exile emerged a good winner of Heat 2 for Pat Buckley and Richard Colwell.
There was a hotly contested battle into the turn with Road Exile only fifth, albeit less than a length off the pace. The inside quarter were virtually inseparable and something had to give.
AS room became tight, Road Exile made his move, driving the turn to move to the front. It was a decisive maneouvre from the son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile as he stayed on well to beat Romeo Taylor by two and a quarter length in 21.05. Blacknose Clover made use of the extra room on the outside of the track to take third, another two lengths adrift.
JUNIOR CUTS THROUGH THE PACK
Tim Slevin’s Trinity Junior displayed the most incredible track craft and pace to win the opening heat in the style of a greyhound with obvious claims in the classic.
Peppered Sean again broke fastest to set a strong gallop but he, nor any of his rivals, had an answer to Trinity Junior.
Only fifth into the turn, the 2023 Champion Stakes winner pulled off the most remarkable maneouvre. When looking likely to stay close to the fence in an attempt to get through, he took a step right. With Peppered Sean being challenged by Longvale Glory on the inside of the track, Trinity Junior took his chance shooting through the middle of the pack to somehow find himself in front before the second corner.
It was decisive move. The Peter Cronin trained son of Laughil Blake and Oi Oi Upenalty charged home to beat Peppered Sean by three lengths in 21.02. There was another length and a half to Manalishi Jet.
BRUCE STORMS HOME
For the second time in the classic, Laughil Bruce stormed home to land the spoils in Heat 6.
Neon Nite displayed all sorts oft early speed to assert into the turn, while Ballinakill Alf didn’t seem himself, losing his pitch into the turn.
Faypoint Sydney charged into the turn and looked set to go second but he was forced to check. Instead, Laughil Bruce and Skidrow Joe were disputing second spot as they turned for home. Neon Nite continued to set a strong gallop at this point but Georgina Gibbons’ Laughil Bruce was soon closing the gap.
Getting the better of Skidrow Joe, Laughil Bruce set his sights on the leader. Closing fast, the Declan Crossan trained Laughil Bruce (Ballymac Bolger/ Laughil Anna) collared Neon Nite in the dying strides to win by a half length in 21.24. Skidrow Joe was another length and a quarter away in third.
FIRE LEAVES IT LATE
Richard Irwin’s Pavilion Fire drove up the home straight to lead in the closing yards for a narrow victory in Heat 7.
Waltzers Star flew from four to set the pace into the turn where he was challenged and headed by One The Nose.
Importantly, the Aidan McVeigh trained Pavilion Fire was also advancing. By the time they hit the home straight, Pavilion Fire was almost upsides On the Nose. Pavilion Fire (Good News/ Bubbly Firebird) relished the long run for home, finally getting the better of On the Nose in the closing yards to win by a head in 21.36. Waltzers Star was two lengths further back in third.
*************
IRISH SPRINT CUP QUARTER FINAL DRAW
The draw for the quarter finals of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup has thrown up some wonderful clashes but the undoubted highlight is the meeting of Broadstrand Syd and Carrick Aldo in Heat 2.
The former smashed the track record in the opening round, only to overcome early crowing on Saturday to follow up.
Carrick Aldo also remains unbeaten in the competition as he bids to defend his title. Each will severely tested by the other and it’s a clash to really look forward to.
Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup
Heat 1
1 Ballymac Finn
2 Skidrow Joe
3 Meenagh Monito
4 Fleadh Rileigh (m)
5 Manalishi Jet (w)
6 Laughiil Bruce (w)
Heat 2
1 Robbies Tiger
2 Broadstrand Syd
3 Pavilion Team (m)
4 Burgess Supreme (m)
5 Carrick Aldo (m)
6 Blacknose Clover (w)
Heat 3
1 Trinity Junior
2 Peppered Sean
3 Neon Nite (m)
4 On The Nose (m)
5 Pavilion Fire (m)
6 Elite Kursk (w)
Heat 4
1 The Other Kobe
2 Romeo Taylor
3 Zippy Canning (m)
4 Road Exile (m)
5 Waltzers Star (m)
6 Dynamic Force (w)