Ryan Out To Settle 27-Year National Sprint Score

PAT Ryan has a score to settle, a disappointing loss 27 years ago, and on Saturday week he gets his chance to do just that.

Now Tassie based, Pat has Sweet Sundown (Whiskey Riot-Sacred Shadow) in the final of the Group 1 National Sprint (530m) at Angle Park on August 24.

The bitch was brilliant in winning the Tassie final of the Sprint at Launceston to take her record to 16 starts for 11 wins and $50,000 in stakes.

Her older half-brother, Group star Raider's Guide, will contest the National Distance Championship.

Pat has not been to Angle Park since he took his former Group superstar Wine Glass (Head Honcho-Hello Pop) for the National Sprint in 1997, finishing fourth to WA star Prince Of Tigers.

Then Queensland-based, Pat took Wine Glass early to Angle Park to prepare for the National Sprint final.

"She and Prince Of Tigers both trialled on the same night and there was nothing between them," remembered Pat.

"I was staying with Mick Giniotis and decided to stay there right up to the final.

"Because she needed to work, I took Wine Glass in to Angle Park for a post to post in the lead-up to the final and she developed a lump behind the stopper.

"She was not lame, but I constantly iced it to get it down.

"We drew the two box and Prince Of Tigers the rails. Going into the first turn, she was a half length in front but she got right off the track. The stopper was obviously causing it."

Prince Of Tigers went on to win the final and Wine Glass finished fourth.

"I remember the night was dismal because it was pouring rain," said Pat.

"But, it was a great experience."

Wine Glass would win the Group 1 Eukanuba Cup at Albion Park and become one of the country's best race dogs. She is the fourth dam of Million Dollar Chase winner Handsome Prince which the Lagogiane kennel bought from Pat Ryan.

One of the first phone calls Pat Ryan received after Sweet Sundown won the Tassie final of the Sprint was from Mick Giniotis.

"Mick is fantastic," said Pat. "I have not spoke to him for many years, but he rang straight away to invite me to stay with Sweet Sundown for the final."

Pat heads to Adelaide to trial Sweet Sundown on Saturday morning during the race meeting.

"I will then fly home and leave her with Mick for the week leading up to the Sprint final," said Pat.

"She is a very good race bitch, bred, reared and owned by Greg and Gary Fahey who have Raider's Guide.

"I don't expect Sweet Sundown to win the final, but she is only young and the experience will be invaluable for her.

"It will also give me a guide on her for future travelling in the chase for big races."

Sweet Sundown is a "rocket" out of the boxes.

"But, that can be misleading," said Pat Ryan.

"She was exceptional early, but has become a bit hit and miss. The red at Launceston gives you almost three lengths start if you begin.

"She did."

Pat is disappointed travel arrangements for Sweet Sundown are difficult.

"There is no direct flight to take her from Tassie to Adelaide," he said.

"We have to go via Melbourne and then on to Adelaide. That's why she will have to stay with Mick in the final week.

"If I could get her straight home, I would do that."

Pat Ryan has been based in Tasmania for the past decade. He and his family moved from Townsville after a long and highly successful stint training at Beenleigh.