ALL ROADS LEAD TO DUNDALK FOR INTERNATIONAL
Ian Fortune
It’s July 12th. That can mean only one thing; all roads lead to Dundalk for the TIME Dundalk International.
The famous invitational has featured and been won by some of the greatest greyhounds to ever step foot onto a track and tonight’s line-up is fitting of the occasion.
In a contest where there are six inside seeds, the draw is of great importance and English Derby champion Lennies Eddie has been installed favourite after drawing red. But this is a race packed with incredible quality and a fast start from any of the six could make the draw irrelevant.
Epic Ace is second favourite with Ballycowen Frank third in ahead of Ballymac Ralf, Singalong Polly and rank outsider Toolmaker King.
EDDIE POISED TO GO CLOSE
Lennies Eddie grew into the English Derby and looked full of beans when recently seen at Shelbourne Park where he was presented to the crowd.
A subsequent 29.58 trial around Dundalk highlights the fact that he is ready to produce on the big stage again.
From an ideal draw on the fence, he is a deserving favourite but will need to come away on terms. If doing so, he has the all the qualities needed to compete at the highest level as highlighted by his success in Towcester and Paul Hennessy and Lee Craze will be confident he can claim more silverware.
CAN EPIC SERVE AN ACE?
Epic Ace was brilliant through the English Derby, only to run out of luck in the semi-finals when a slight stumble at traps ended his hopes.
It’s worth remembering he twice broke the track record at Towcester in the prelims and can he forgiven for his latest defeat at Shelbourne in the Champion Stakes when a tardy start and lack of racing room at the turn worked against him.
John Kennedy’s tracker may be a December ’22 whelp but he is as good as ever and his many followers will be hoping he can start on terms. If doing so, his brilliant early speed should allow him turn in a challenging position.
FRANK NEEDS A FLIER
Ballycowen Frank has been in brilliant form all year, posting some rapid times around Limerick before finishing runner-up in the Kirby Memorial.
He would go onto Tralee and capture the Race of Champions in stunning fashion, smashing the track record in the process.
A trap five draw is far from ideal but his trapping has been so much better this year and if he were to get the better of Epic Ace in the early yards he I another that could find himself in a challenging position at the bend. Blessed with huge pace and power, he is a big player.
POLLY FLYING AT PRESENT
Singalong Polly was a superb winner of the Corn Cuchulainn last month, running riot in the final.
In victory, she displayed real four-bend speed and a recent 29.66 trial suggests she is ready to outrun her odds.
Representing the potent pairing of Pat Buckley and Gilbert Anderson, she won’t be found wanting for pace or power but needs to be at her very sharpest in the early yards. If she were to turn close to the pace, the long back straight and the run to the line would really play to her strengths.
Have no doubt, the adage, ‘beware a bitch in form’ really comes into play with her. She is in the form of her life and is greatly respected.
RALF MUST FIND A WAY TO TURN CLOSE
Ballymac Ralf has his first start for new owners Geoff Bowmer and Steve Radford. The English Derby fourth is made for Dundalk with the galloping nature of the circuit likely to suit.
Garry Dempsey will be satisfied with his latest trial but he is another that needs to b at his very sharpest in the early yards from trap three.
In a race of this nature, he is unlikely to come from far off the pace to win so it’s imperative he finds a way to turn close. That is easier said than done.
KING NEEDS TO GET LOOSE
Toolmaker King completes a talented line-up.
His route to victory is clear. If the Robert Gleeson trained speedster is to emerge on top, he simply must set the pace into the corner and down the far side. If failing to do so, he is unlikely to make much impression.
That’s not to say he can’t dictate. The son of Droopys Sydney has superb speed into the bend and actually boasts a rapid 20.86 success over Dundalk’s 400yd sprint trip earlier in the year. He has little room for error, however, and is the outsider of the field for a reason.
A FASCINATING CONTEST
It’s a truly fascinating contest and the race for the €20,000 prize could go right down to the wire. Ultimately, the choice is a tentative one with Lennies Eddie getting the nod. From an ideal draw, the English Derby champion has les to concern himself with than his rivals.
If he starts on terms, he need only concentrate on going up as fast as he can. That could make the difference. Epic Ace and Singalong Polly are nominated as the main dangers but both will need to hit the ground running. The best of luck to al involved.
A WONDERFUL CARD ON OFFER
Theres a wonderful card on offer at Dundalk to back up the International.
There are no fewer than five sweepstake finals, while the card also features a couple of brilliant open races. The canine action gets underway at 7.30pm but doors open far earlier with a seven-race horseracing card running between 2 and 5.30pm.