EXPECT AN INTERNATIONAL STUNNER AT DUNDALK
Ian Fortune
The weather has been nothing short of tropical over the past two days, decimating the racing schedule but Dundalk is currently good to race this evening (Check updates during the day) and the action on the track should be as hot as the weather with the TIME Dundalk International set to dominate proceedings.
Of course, it’s the busiest day in the Dundalk schedule with a huge crowd expected for the horses earlier in the day with many staying on to savour the canine action and they won’t be disappointed. The twelve-race card gets underway at 7.30pm with the feature due off at 9.30pm.
SANDWICHES FAVOURITE FOR GLORY
The draw for the International has been relatively kind to most and there will be no excuses in the €20,000 invitation.
Favourite to land the spoils is Cheap Sandwiches, the Boylesports Derby runner-up. He will wear the stripes and is clearly a big player for Graham Holland, who has yet to win the famous contest.
He was last seen when finishing fourth in the English Derby decider but should have all the qualities needed to excel over the 550yd trip at Dundalk. A recent sprint spin suggests he is well in himself and he is a worthy favourite.
JOE ON AN UPWARD CURVE
Ballinabola Joe is drawn next to Cheap Sandwiches in five.
He will bid to hand Pat Buckley a fourth victory in the race, after the successes of Droopys Electric, Paradise Silva and Droopys Roddick. He too has the right profile. A dog with stunning pace to the third turn, he is more than capable of racing prominently into the bend and seems to be improving all the time.
His latest success in the final of the Shelbourne Champion 550 highlights his star quality and he will prove popular in the ring.
NED AN INTERNATIONAL STAR
The International element to the race comes in the form of Wicky Ned.
He boasts an incredible CV with no fewer than five Category 1 wins in the UK, his latest coming in the 3 Steps to Victory at Sheffield last weekend.
It was no surprise to see him named 2024 Greyhound of the Year in the UK and he can’t be dismissed lightly despite his lack of knowledge of the Dundalk circuit. A fast starter with the pace and power to win over six bends, he is more than worthy of his inclusion and could run a huge race for Jimmy Fenwick.
Brookside Richie ran a huge race in the 2023 International for Fenwick and he will feel that Wicky Ned is better equipped for the challenge.
KNEGARE WILL BE SUITED BY DUNDALK
Callaway Knegare continues to be amongst Ireland’s fastest and most powerful four-bend performers. His victory in last year’s Juvenile Derby was followed by a third placed finish in the Derby, while he ran up the Race of Champions and finished third in the Shelbourne Open 600 this year.
The key to his chances is the start. He tends to leave himself with too much to do but is always capable of pinging the lids. That’s exactly what he needs this evening. He flew around Dundalk in a sensational 28.01 in his latest trial and looks made for the place with the long straights really playing to his strengths.
DUKE LOOKS TO DASH TO THE FRONT
Daleroad Duke will wear the white jacket of three.
The 2024 Champion Stakes winner recently returned to his best, bettering the Tralee 525yd track record. He would perhaps prefer a rails draw but has the early speed and class to make his presence felt.
Of course, Pat Guilfoyle is no stranger to International success. He first won the famous race fifteen years ago with Definate Opinion. The flying blue would return a year later to defend his crown. A third International success came with Explosive Boy living up to his name in 2022. There’s no doubt, Guilfoyle knows what is needed to win this contest and Daleroad Duke can’t be dismissed too lightly.
JOEY NEEDS TO GET THE JUMP
Lemon Joey completes the line-up.
Representing Murt Leahy, who won the International in 2023 with the wonderful Raha Mofo, Lemon Joey earned his place with a superb victory in the Produce Stakes at Clonmel.
A tremendous all-rounder with the early speed and strength to be a star over 550yds, he is another that can’t be ignored despite his double-figure odds. There is no doubt the son of Ballymac Best will need to rocket from boxes but that is possible and a trap four draw is ideal for the sole middle seed.
A WONDERFUL CONTEST CAN GO TO SANDWICHES
It’s a wonderful contest. By earning a selection, they are all winners but the €20,000 prize can only go to one of them.
As soon as the draw was made, Cheap Sandwiches was installed favourite and with reason. He has established himself as a superstar, using the Derby platform on either side of the irish Sea as his stage.
With huge early speed, wonderful back straight pace and the strength to see out every inch of the 550yd trip, he is given the nod to lead home the hugely exciting Ballinabola Joe. The latter seems to have all the same qualities and is a huge threat. Wicky Ned is selected to chase the pair home.