Hurricane keeps sprint dream within Range

It could have proved a treacherous heat for our local contenders in the Baroneracing.com Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk when Cabra Hurricane and Rosbirr Ranger clashed on Friday but with both advancing to this week’s quarter-finals, they gave notice of their designs on the outright title in a high quality encounter.

It was the former Pat Guilfoyle trained Greyhound Of The Year nominee Cabra Hurricane (Kinloch Brae/Cabra Ebony) who claimed victory as he remains unbeaten in the event.

An opening round winner when posting 21.24, he would match that winning time for the 400 yards on Friday but not without a serious challenge from the Christopher Delaney trained Sprinter Of The Year nominee Rosbirr Ranger (Paradise Madison/Wrathchild).

From a level start, it was Cabra Hurricane who reached full stride quickest and he would establish a lead on the long run to the opening bend but displaying his brilliant early pace, Rosbirr Ranger would secure second position to race on his tail before reaching the corner. A threatening presence on the outside of the pacesetter when drawing to within a half-length as the pair raced in tight quarters, it appeared as though these two local stars would fight out victory but inconvenienced at the crown of the bends, Rosbirr Ranger would crucially cede some minor ground to Cabra Hurricane who again galloped the turns with great aplomb while Eastside Flyer rushed up to vie for second place on the inside of Rosbirr Ranger.Into the home-straight, the Hurricane was blowing at full pace and he would seal victory when powering to the line for a one and three quarter length verdict over Eastside Flyer who just denied Rosbirr Ranger for second with the Roscrea charge the same distance back in third.

Both local hopes have avoided each other in the quarter-final draw and in a mouth-watering clash, Cabra Hurricane will face Irish Derby champion Ballyanne Sim in the opener. With the plumb draw in Trap 1, the Hurricane is a strong fancy to remain unbeaten.

 

To read more, pick up a copy of this weeks Nenagh Guardian locally or subscribe to our e-paper to access it online each Wednesday.