2 days ago
Defending champ Syd aiming for more Classic glory in Irish Sprint Cup Final
The Cork-based greyhound is favourite to win the €20,000 first prize for his syndicate of owners and preserve an unbeaten record in this year's renewal of the two-bend Classic.
Indeed, in nine outings at the Co. Louth venue the Johnny Linehan-trained Broadstrand Syd has suffered just one defeat when he finished second behind 2023 winner Carrick Aldo in last year's third round.
He is not the only unbeaten finalist. Droopys Patriot completed a five-timer on Saturday, a sequence that goes back to March when he took Tralee's Juvenile Classic over 525 yards.
The August pup is handled by Robbie Gleeson who won the Sprint Cup in 2016 with Ballymac Bigmike.
It is far from a two-dog affair. Stonepark Browne was successful in the first and second rounds before running up to Broadstrand Syd the last twice.
Southwind Wild boasts a similar profile. He has finished second to Droopys Patriot on each of the last two occasions.
Ballymac Brandan came into the event unraced. Nevertheless, the January '24 whelp has accumulated two victories so far.
The field is completed by Epic Ace, whose trainer Pat Guilfoyle was responsible for the 2020 hero Grangeview Ten. He caught the eye with the manner he came from behind to win his second round heat.
The dog is owned by John Kennedy Jnr who took the Sprint Cup with Good Cody (2021).
Track record holder Broadstrand Syd (20.57 first time up in 2024) has a best of 20.70 this year and 'only' clocked 20.91 in each of his last two spins which will give his rivals some hope.
Droopys Patriot twice went around in 20.88 and has fared best of the four railers in the draw in that he has avoided trap one and will wear the blue jacket, inside Broadstrand Syd and Stonepark Browne.
The latter is a value bet as he made Syd work hard in the semis when starting from one.
The other three contenders will be outsiders. If there is to be an upset it could be provided by Epic Ace though he will need to be closer at the first bend.
Big race line-up
1 Ballymac Brandan, owner-trainer Liam Dowling, Co. Kerry
2 Droopys Patriot, owner Newmarket Racing Syndicate, trainer Robert Gleeson, Co. Kildare
3 Broadstrand Syd, owner Ryan Drake Donovan Syndicate, trainer John Linehan, Co. Cork
4 Stonepark Browne, owner Michael O'Dwyer, trainer Michael O'Donovan, Co. Tipperary
5 Southwind Wild, owner William Wood, trainer Pat Buckley, Co. Limerick
6 Epic Ace, owner John Kennedy Jnr, trainer Pat Guilfoyle, Co. Tipperary
The August 15 card boasts five other finals where there is lots of local interest.
Corduff, Co. Monaghan handler Laurence Jones has Lockstep and Sling Your Hook in an S2 400. They will be joined by Country Bucks, owned by David Hoey, Knockbridge.
Clogherhead's Graham Kelly has Beretta Kadie in an A4 525 and Whiterock Shadow, owned jointly by Tommy McKevitt, Dromiskin, in an A3 525. Togher's Michael Doyle has qualified Coolemount Andy for the A3.
Laurence Jones' Rosetta Stone runs in an A2 525 and Farney Charm in an A1 525 where the field includes Graham Kelly's Beretta Brandi.
