Duke bullish about Broghie

Brendan Duke is in a bullish mood about the chances of The Broghie Man in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race Final at Naas on Sunday.

There are 16 in with a chance of taking a share of the 120,000 euros on offer, but Duke feels his Cityscape colt has plenty going for him - despite being a four-race maiden.

"The Broghie Man has won 26,500 euros and he cost 7,000 euros," said Duke.

"This has always being the plan to qualify him for the final and he will be difficult to beat over seven furlongs at Naas.

"The series is fantastic and Foran Equine and Irish EBF must be commended, some of the winners of the qualifiers only cost 2,500 euros. It gives the small trainer and owner something to look forward to and a really good prize at the end of the rainbow."

Sheila Lavery won the race with Sevenleft two years ago and has Quizical in the frame this time.

"It's a great series and I try to target horses at it," she said.

"It can be a great pay-day for those inexpensive horses and it gives the smaller yards a chance.

"Sevenleft won it the first year for us and we went home with over with 45,000 euros, it was better than winning a Group race."

Andrew Slattery has Spiorad Saoirse engaged, a winner at Galway in July.

"The plan is to run Sunday, I think he'll run well, I think he'll be a better three-year-old," said Slattery.

"He ran over six furlongs at Naas the last day and it was a bit short for him. I think seven will suit him better.

"The Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series is a great incentive, it makes it easier to get an owner. It gives trainers like us a great chance."

Powersville has won two for Tom Mullins this season over six furlongs but is stepping up in trip.

"Powersville is in great form and I'm happy with the draw, although the extra furlong is a bit of a concern, but we couldn't not go for the race with the exceptional prize money that is on offer," said Mullins.

"She was a cheap purchase and owes us nothing so anything else she picks up now is a bonus, but she's has got course form at Naas which is a big thing for young horses and it is dream stuff to be contesting a race of this value with her."