Irish Millie triumphs in tumultuous Sandown Cup
In a rare twist of events, Irish Millie emerged as the winner of the 2024 Group 1 Sandown Cup on Friday evening, May 24, narrowly beating out Canya Amy to achieve her first group 1 victory.
Irish Millie, who was the second longest priced runner on greyhound betting apps in the prized Group 1 staying final at +2450, was lucky to be racing wide in the home straight the final time, when carnage decimated four of the leading chances on the inside with 50 metres to go.
Drill Sergeant had been able to comfortably lead from box five, and was able to withstand a fleeting challenge from Sunnyside Jo as they left the home straight the first time.
As Sunnyside Jo dropped off, Fast Minardi was able to race up behind the leader, attempting to gain a rails run.
With both leading greyhounds trying to find the same ground hard up on the inside rail, Irish Millie racing three and four greyhounds wide was able to slide up to third as they entered the home straight.
With just 75 metres to go in Sandown's premier 715-metre race, the worst possible of all outcomes prevailed.
As Fast Minardi persisted for a rails run, the Tasmanian greyhound galloped on the hind legs of Drill Sergeant bringing both dogs down.
Reserve runner Ritza Piper had been making rapid ground along the rail behind the leaders prior to the falls, and was unable to correct his course in time and also cartwheeled over both fallen greyhounds.
Valpolicella, who was back in sixth place entering the home straight, was able to narrowly avoid the mayhem, but was significantly inconvenienced.
Osanna Bale, who had been trailing in last place on the rail, saw all the events unfold before her and was clearly “rattled” finishing tailed off across the line, alongside Ritza Piper who finished the race, as did Drill Sergeant.
While the drama was unfolding with 50 metres to go, Irish Millie was able to sweep to the lead courtesy of her wide run, but had to withstand a strong finish from Canya Amy, who had fortuitously switched outside Irish Millie just before the carnage began.
Down to the line, Irish Millie maintained a 0.23 lengths margin over Canya Amy, with Valpolicella finishing back in third 4.66 lengths from the winner, while the only other greyhound relatively unaffected by the falls, Sunnyside Jo, finished 7.26 lengths from the winner in fourth.
Osanna Bale crossed the line just ahead of Ritza Piper, with Drill Sergeant a further good margin away.
Unfortunately, Fast Minardi suffered a fractured radius in the fall and was transported to a nearby veterinary clinic for immediate care.
The 2024 Group 2 Launceston Cup champion is unlikely to race again.
2024 Group 1 Sandown Cup Final – Irish Millie (41.97) T: Steve Whyte
In what were subdued scenes for the aftermath of a Group 1 race, Irish Millie's trainer was circumspect about the race, saying,”I told the owners, ‘we just need an ounce of luck' and we got it.
“There's some that haven't.
“That's the way it goes, that's greyhound racing.
“Every start she's just got better and better.”
The Sandown Cup win was the first black-type win of Irish Millie's career, in fact it was the first group or listed final she had ever contested in a 34 start career.
The daughter of My Redeemer and Thurles Princess has now won nine of those races and run a further 11 placings, earning connections $211,100 in prizemoney including last night $175,000 first prize.
2024 Group 1 Sandown Cup
2024 Sandown Cup Results Sandown 715m Group 1 $175,000 to-the-winner Friday, May 24, 2024 41.97
|
|
| 1st |
6 Irish Millie
|
| 2nd |
4 Canya Amy
T: Matthew Lanigan 41.99 0.23 lengths $50,000 +610
|
| 3rd |
1 Valpolicella
T: Tony Zammit 42.30 4.66 lengths $25,000 -111.11
|
| 4th |
8 Sunnyside Jo
T: David Kerr 42.28 7.26 lengths $12,500 +600
|
| 5th |
2 Osanna Bale
T: Daniel Gibbons Tailed Off – +2940
|
| 6th |
9 Ritza Piper
T: Joe Scerri Fell – +1400
|
| 7th |
5 Drill Sergeant
T: Shane Drummond Fell – +1800
|
| 8th |
3 Fast Minardi
T: Paul Hili Fell Failed To Finish +440
|