LUKA SET TO DELIVER ANOTHER MASTERCLASS AT DUNDALK
Ian Fortune
After some outstanding opening round efforts, Ireland’s best sprinters will again light up Dundalk this evening in the second round of the Bar 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup.
Magical Luka cemented his status as the favourite for outright honours last weekend, flying into the turn after a moderate start before stopping the clock in a rapid 20.88.
A week on, the Pat Guilfoyle trained star won’t have to wait long after kennelling to again show his class as he is due to race from three in the opening heat – the first race on the card. His task has been made a little easier with the withdrawal of Early Payout from six with a muscle problem.
That means trap six will be vacant. Magical Luka will undoubtedly start a hot favourite but Fantasy Adam, Droopys Apollo and Looking Splendid will be ready to pounce should he make any mistakes. However, Magical Luka is very special when on song and he is a confident choice to emerge on top, perhaps the at the expense of the progressive youngster Fantasy Adam.
SECRET TO GO ONE BETTER
Montana Secret had no sprint runs on his card, only a few eye-catching trials, but he ran a fine race in defeat behind The Other Aari in the opening round.
Given the change in discipline, he will obviously come on for that latest run and is seen as the one to beat in Heat 2.
He posted 21.13 last week and if he were to go any quicker, he would be very difficult to stop. Marlfield Bucko won his opening round assignment and is respected from the outside box but Southwind Storm is perhaps the greatest threat to Montana Secret. He failed to threaten last week after a slow start but has some impressive Cork form and can only step up on his most recent form.
DREAM FACING A TOUGH TEST
No fewer than three winners from last weekend take their chance in Heat 3.
Tiermana Dream, the Treaty Cup winner, went fastest of the trio, winning in 20.96. He’s a real professional and is likely to mount a bold bid again.
Robbies Flyer also impressed seven days ago, winning in 21.18. He is bred in the purple and seems to be improving every time he hits the track. The same can be said for the speedy Anothercupiftea. He won well on his sprinting debut and is another than can only improve. Throw in the ecent Rallying Billy and Yurty Magurty and it is a superb contest.
Tiermana Dream is proven at the highest level, however, and should he put his best foot forward will be difficult to stop. Robbies Flyer and Anothercupoftea can emerge as the biggest dangers.
FIRST TO HIT THE POST IN FRONT
Heat 4 is mighty competitive. Each of the six runners have claims of some variety and much will come down to the start.
Firstpastthepost carried no luck in a hot opening round assignment but still managed to go qualify in a faster time than any of his rivals.
With that in mind, he is seen as a major player from trap four. Buddy Bruno is lightly raced but has shown ability. If he can trap on terms, he is more than capable of getting involved from an inside draw.
Others of note include Treaty Cup runner-up Tiermana Hunter, Dundalk regular Woodfliff Duke and Charming Charlie, while opening round scorer Velvet Samba completes the line-up. The last named had luck at the turn last week, but took advantage. He will need a fast start to follow up this evening.
COOLIO CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE
The withdrawal of The Other Aari is a real blow in Heat 5, while the absence of Whinney Hill Boy means only four greyhounds will go to traps.
In their absence Crafty Coolio will have plenty of room to race from the outside box. That could certainly make a difference.
The exciting son of Dorotas Wildcat suffered a first defeat last week behind The Other Aari but can get back to winning ways seven days on. Bomber Nina came in as a reserve last week before finishing third after early traffic but she has shown plenty of ability in the past. She can emerge as a threat to Crafty Coolio with Minstrel Rocket the best of the remainder.
O’DONNELL DUO CAN GO CLOSE
While The Other Aari is a non-runner for Jennifer O’Donnell in Heat 5, one suspects she will have a big say in Heat 6 where she is doubly represented by The Other Wild and Born Ranger.
Both are more than capable of playing a big part although they will need to come away on terms.
Born Ranger missed the kick and found immediate traffic last week before showing plenty of pace in defeat. With a better start tonight, he should have a big say in the outcome. The Other Wild is drawn on his outside in four. He came through to win in 21.26 last week, showing plenty of his old dash. He too is a big player.
Outside of the O’Donnell duo, Shadow Oftherock is respected. He ran well behind Robbies Flyer last week, posting 21.27 in defeat. He has a kind draw as the sole wide seed in six.