DUFFLE WINS DOWN UNDER TO BOOK MELBOURNE CUP PLACE

Ian Fortune

Less than a fortnight after capturing his first Laurels title, Liam Dowling had further reason to celebrate on Thursday morning as Ballymac Duffle made waves at Sandown Park, landing a Prelude for the upcoming Melbourne Cup.

It means the flying fawn will take his place in the famous competition, which boasts a winner’s purse of AU$500,000.

Ballymac Duffle had just seven starts in Ireland, reaching the final of the Juvenile Classic at Tralee and the semi-finals of the Kirby Memorial at Limerick before being aimed at the English Derby.

Simply outstanding in the early rounds of the classic, he broke the track record in the second round and established himself as one of the leading contenders for the blue riband. Having progressed to the final, he was sent off the 2-1 second favourite but had to settle for third.

It would prove to be his final start in the northern hemisphere, with plans subsequently put in place to send him and kennel companions Ballymac Chantry and Ballymac Iroko down under to join handler Korie-Lee Heinrich.

Still under the ownership of Dowling, all three were in action at Sandown on Thursday, with Ballymac Chantry and Ballymac Iroko both running well in defeat. However, Ballymac Duffle was the undoubted star of proceedings as far as the Irish contingent was concerned.

A week after making his Australian debut at Ballarat, where he finished eight lengths third in a sharp 450m contest, he was much better suited by the galloping nature of Sandown Park’s 515m course. Drawn in trap six, he was off the pace into the turn, disputing fifth, and was forced to check his stride. However, he soon found racing room and began to make ground.

Fourth into the back straight, he importantly secured the inside line and quickly began to motor. Third by halfway, he forced his way into second on the third turn before joining leader Quinlee Bale and pouncing on the home bend.

The powerful son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wisdom stayed on strongly to secure a famous length-and-three-quarter success in 29.54, earning his place in the Melbourne Cup.

There may be even greater tests ahead for Duffle, but this was a hugely encouraging performance from the talented tracker. Given an inside draw, one suspects he has the engine to worry some of the best in training down under, and he is certainly one to follow.

Needless to say, we’ll keep you updated, but expect to see him back in action in the near future, with the heats of the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup set for Saturday, November 21, and the final a week later, on November 28.

Once again, we depend on the Greyhound Girl account for the video of Ballymac Duffle in action. If you want to see the flying fawn in all his glory, click on the line below:

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