SENSATIONAL SYD SMASHES CLOCK IN IRISH SPRINT CUP

Ian Fortune

Broadstrand Syd produced one of the great runs at Dundalk on Saturday evening, confirming his incredible potential, with a sensational track record-breaking display in the opening round of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup.

This year’s sprint classic is packed with top class trackers and many impressed but it seems they will all have a job on their hands trying to live with Broadstrand Syd in the coming weeks.

ELECTRIC DISPLAY FROM BROADSTRAND

In what was his sprinting debut, the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice was electric in Heat 2.

Taking on two of Ireland’s best in Ballinakill Alf and Road Exile, the Johnny Linehan trained star had to be at his very sharpest but he clearly read the brief.

Flashing from an inside draw, Broadstrand Syd displayed aweseome early speed to quickly move clear of the fast-starting Road Exile. Behind the pair, Ballinakill Alf improved his position into the turn but Broadstrand Syd was in a league of his own.

Owned by the Ryan, Drake, Donovan Syndicate, Broadstrand Syd maintained a merciless pace to the line to see off Road Exile by five lengths. Ballinakill Alf was another length back in third. But this was all about Broadstrand Syd. Posting a scarcely believable 20.57, the August ’22 whelp took an incredible sixteen spots off the previous track record of Brodys Magic.

ALDO BEGINS HIS DEFENCE WITH A WIN

Carrick Aldo made a wining start to his title defence in the penultimate heat.

Pavilion Team was fastest into stride but Carrick Aldo flew up his outside to challenge on the turn. Asserting on the run in, the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Minnies Hazel powered clear to win by three and three quarter lengths in 21.04. It was a bright start to his defence and the David Murray trained star is fully expected to come on for the run.

TAYLOR NEXT FASTEST

To highlight the brilliance of Broadstrand Syd, only two other heat winners broke the 21 second barrier with Romeo Taylor fastest of the duo with a 20.91 return in Heat 6.

Representing Graham Holland and David Firmager, the talented son of Newinn Taylor and Fabulous Mila flashed from the inside box to make every inch in a three and three quarter length success over Faypoint Sydney. 

SWEET RUN FROM TART

Some fifteen minutes later, Graham Holland completed a double with Pat Moloney’s Apple Tart.

The son of Newinn Taylor and Vickis Lady was razor-sharp, flashing from trap five and quickly asserting. He proceeded to see off Burgess Darcy by two and a quarter length in 21.07.

JUNIOR GOES FAST

Trinity Junior posted a rapid 20.92 in Heat 8, showing his brilliant four-bend speed to reel in and see off Second Treasure.

The 2023 Champion Stakes winner was second into the turn before taking over as they turned or home.

Trained by Peter Cronin for Tim Slevin, the son of Laughil Blake and Oi Oi Upenalty raced on to a near four length verdict over Secon Treasure. Crokers Sydney was just a short head away in third.

RILEIGH IMPRESSES IN OPENER

James Kerr’s Fleadh Rileigh set the tone for the evening ahead with a superb front-running display in the opening heat.

The daughter of Ballymac Best and Fleadh Ramona broke fastest and made all to beat Dayinthebog by three and a half lengths in 21.01.

KURSK IMPRESSES

Elite Kursk was one of the more interesting runners in the competition after dipping under the 350yd track record at Enniscorthy in his latest trial.

He may not have hit the lids in Heat 10 but did show superb early speed to lead at the corner. Myles Roban’s exciting son of Elite Black and Minnies Mursk charged on to beat Carrick Fergie by three and a quarter lengths in 21.23.

CANNING GETS LOOSE

Paula Hoban’s Zippy Canning was one of the more straightforward and comfortable winners of the night when dominating in Heat 3.

Always in charge after a fast start, the son of Ballymac Best and Cherry Lane went on to beat Gumption by nearly seven lengths in 21.25.

BRUCE TOO STRONG FOR MOLLY

Laughil Bruce powered home to win Heat 4 in good style for Declan Crossan and Georgina Gibbons. Rathdown Molly held a narrow lead into the turn but could never shake off Laughil Bruce. The son of Ballymac Bolger and Laughil Anna flew home for a three-length victory in 21.39.

NEON HOLDS ON

Paul James’ Neon Nite got the better of Dynamic Force by a head in 21.29 in Heat 5.

Vancouver Sting and the Ian Reilly trained Neon Nite had a great battle for much of the journey only for the latter to move on approaching the line. Dynamic Force ran on strongly but just failed to get back on terms.

SEAN SEES OFF KOBE

Derby champion The Other Kobe made his sprinting debut in Heat 9 but struggled to find room to race with the Martin Lanney trained Peppered Sean breaking smartly from two to make all.

Edging off the fence, Peppered Sean, owned by the Laurel Lodge Syndicate, moved to the middle of the track, forcing The Other Kobe to check inside. Peppered Sean maintained a strong gallop to emerge a two-length winner over The Other Kobe in 21.28.

HOFFA REMAINS UNBEATEN

Michael O’Dwyer’s Stonepark Hoffa maintained his unbeaten career record in the final heat of the round.

Always to the fore, the Michael O’Donovan trained son of Droopy Sydney and Coolavanny Hoffa got the better of Niosfearrnabolt on the corner before edging on for a two and a quarter length victory over the early pace-setter in 21.45.