Sydney Cruiser gains reward for consistency

Written by Mark Nunan

A pair of Westmeath-trained horses went on from their rivals after the second-last in Sligo’s McDermott Farm Machinery Handicap Hurdle and, having jumped the last with a slight advantage, the Ciaran Murphy-trained Sydney Cruiser (9/2 fav) forged clear late on to beat Adrian Murray’s Mr Dibbs by two lengths.

The Alex Harvey-partnered bottom weight, owned by Mrs Kate McMahon in partnership with Declan and Erica Burke, was making the breakthrough on her 21st start over hurdles and was building on some consistent efforts this summer.

Murphy said: “She’s been knocking on the door and has become very consistent. Our horses are running well this year, and we are very happy with them.

“She travelled on that nice ground today and she jumped great.

“She’s entered on Monday at Ballinrobe and Downpatrick and there is a fair chance that she will run again when she’s in this sort of form.

“We’ll see how she comes out of this.”