Better Call Caul: Serene holds Aces in Sprint Cup Final
Serene Ace will go to boxes a short-priced favorite to win the Sprint Cup Final at Dundalk on Monday evening. Trained by the excellent Michael O'Donovan for Edmund Ryan, Serene Ace is unbeaten in this year's sprint classic and is looking to make it five from five in the finale this Monday evening. It's a big day for the Dundalk track, where they will host a dual raceday. Horse racing will kick off around 1:30pm, before the greyhound racing commences shortly after 6pm. Let's look at the six finalists.
2022 Sprint Cup Final form guide
1. RUNNINTA SHAY
Starts: 10 | 1st: 5 | 2nd: 2 | 3rd: 2 | Best time: 21:02 | Current odds: $8
Wide margin winner of a sprint contest on debut at Cork and has since displayed plenty of promise over four bends. Only began his racing career in March of this year and has been lightly raced ever since. Open to further improvement than most but will need a career-best effort to land this from a notoriously trick one box.
2. SERENE ACE
Starts: 32 | 1st: 17 | 2nd: 11 | 3rd: 3 | Best time: 20:78 | Current odds:$1.90
A real superstar over two and four bends with an incredible race record. Thirty-two starts with twenty-eight top two finishes. Unbeaten in the event, has posted the fastest time of the line-up and will be hard to beat with a repeat. A deserved favourite.
3. HAWKFIELD OZARK
Starts: 32 | 1st: 11 | 2nd: 9 | 3rd: 6 | Best time: 20:99 | Current odds: $8
Yet another with a fine racing record. Ran well behind Serene Ace in last weekend's semi-final. Has won from every box during his career and is very capable on his day. His dam has produced some of Irelands absolute best sprinters and this fellow is no exception
4. WESTSIDE FRANK
Starts: 23 | 1st: 5 | 2nd: 4 | 3rd: 5 | Best time: 20:92 | Current odds: $11
Has improved immensely during the event for his local trainer Martin Lanney. Martin has won this classic before as well as having a couple of finalists. He needs to find a little bit of improvement on the clock but is not without a chance despite his double figure odds. Zero from two from the trap is a concern.
5. MANUONE
Starts: 19 | 1st: 6 | 2nd: 4 | 3rd: 4 | Best time: 21:16 | Current odds: $17
Likely to be the outsider in the decider but has been ultra-consistent in getting to the final. Another who has winning form over two and four bends. Only raced from box five once in this year's event so far and that was a winning outing.
6. FLASHING WILLOW
Starts: 19 | 1st: 13 | 2nd: 1 | 3rd: 5 | Best time: 20:81 | Current odds: $3.25
Amazing has yet to finish out of the first three in nineteen outings. Has had some issues with his trapping around here in the early rounds but got this act together in last week's semi-final to record a stunning win. Box six can be tricky around here but has serious chances if starting level.
Verdict
Serene Ace and Flashing Willow for me are the two to concentrate on. Serene Ace has been excellent thus far and sets an extremely high standard. The only one that could make his go is Flashing Willow. If Willow traps level, we are in for a thrilling final. But he has been very hit and miss at boxes and six is a trick box for sprinters around Dundalk. Serene Ace looks the safest bet.
Selection: Serene Ace
Weather again plays havoc with fixtures
Three weeks ago, all racing in the UK and Ireland was postponed due to a heat wave. Fast forward a week and we lost the last two races at Shelbourne Park due to heavy and persistent rain. Well, it's time for the heat wave yet again. In Ireland there was no greyhound racing on Wednesday, and Thursday was also curtailed after Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) called off planned meetings at Shelbourne, Limerick and Enniscorthy, leaving just Waterford's morning meeting. A GRI statement said:
“Racing and trial activity at all stadia is suspended from 11am, changed from 12pm, from Wednesday, August 10 to Friday, August 12 inclusive.
“As previously confirmed, racing will not take place tonight at Youghal Greyhound Stadium Racing will not take place at Shelbourne Park, Limerick Greyhound Stadium or Enniscorthy tomorrow night.”
In the UK, many tracks are monitoring the situation closely, but at the time of writing, it is doubtful there will be much action over the coming weekend.
Irish Greyhound Derby draw this Monday
The 2022 Irish Greyhound Derby will kick off at Shelbourne Park on Friday, August 19. It promises to be one of the best competitions in recent years. The current crop of top-class greyhounds in Ireland has never been stronger. Racing Post Greyhound TV will stream the Derby from round three on, with talk of the final being broadcast live on terrestrial TV. The draw will be streamed live on the Shelbourne Park Facebook page from 11am on Monday morning.