Ethanol Water sets the pace in Gold Cup Heats at Albion Park
Ethanol Water stamped her authority on the 2025 Albion Park Gold Cup, recording the fastest heat time of 41.57 seconds in a dominant all-the-way victory.
Jumping cleanly from box three, the $1.90 bookmaker favourite left her rivals in her wake, finishing three lengths ahead of Pass Mark and securing her place in next week’s Group 1 final. The performance solidifies her status as a key contender for the $100,000 prize.
The box draw for the final has been confirmed, with Ethanol Water set to line up again from box three. Defending champion Valpolicella faces a tougher challenge from box five, while Heat 3 winner Black Silencer will have to navigate from box six.
Irish Millie (box one) and Jeremiah Fire (box two) also bring strong credentials to the race, promising a thrilling showdown for Gold Cup glory at Albion Park on January 30.
Keep reading for our heat reviews and the Albion Park Gold Cup Box Draw below:
Albion Park Gold Cup Heat 1 – Valpolicella (41.77)
Valpolicella, the reigning champion, reaffirmed her dominance in the opening heat of the 2025 Gold Cup at Albion Park. Trained by Tony Zammit, the $2.30 BlondeBet favourite overcame early challenges to surge to victory in 41.77 seconds, securing her place in next week’s Group 1 final. Despite an awkward start, the queen of distance racing stayed close to the leaders, producing a powerful finishing burst to defeat Groovebird by six lengths, with Ace’s Chance completing the placings.
With her stellar track record of 38 wins from 76 starts and over $1.1 million in prize money, Valpolicella now enters the Gold Cup final as a leading contender.
Albion Park Gold Cup Heat 2 – Ethanol Water (41.57)
Ethanol Water stamped her authority in the second heat of the 2025 Gold Cup at Albion Park with a dominant all-the-way performance. Jumping cleanly from box three, the $1.90 favourite quickly established control and maintained her lead throughout, stopping the clock at 41.57 seconds as the fastest heat of the night.
She crossed the line three lengths ahead of Pass Mark, followed by Irish Millie in third place, a further seven lengths behind.
This commanding effort solidifies Ethanol Water as a key contender for next week’s Group 1 final, where she’ll compete for the $75,000 winner’s prize.
Her early speed and ability to control the race make her standout among the finalists.
Albion Park Gold Cup Heat 3 – Black Silencer (41.68)
Black Silencer proved his class in Heat 3 of the Garrard’s Horse and Hound Gold Cup at Albion Park, overcoming early trouble to secure a strong victory.
Jumping from box six, the $1.70 Picklebet favourite encountered traffic early but surged through the field with a bold move on the inside.
Clocking an impressive 41.68 seconds, he finished three lengths clear of the fast-finishing Late Night News, with Jeremiah Fire holding on for third.
Securing the win in the Clem Jones Cup last week and now the Gold Cup heat 3 at Albion Park, Black Silencer has reaffirmed his status as a top contender for next week’s Group 1 final.
2025 Gold Cup Final Betting Odds & Box Draw
Please see the box draw and betting odds for the Group 1 Gold Cup final below:
2025 Gold Cup Final Box Draw & Field Albion Park 710m Group 1 $100,000 to-the-winner Thursday, January 30, 2025
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1 Irish Millie
T: Stephen WhyteF: 41223Career: 48: 10-10-8Prizemoney: $230,580
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2 Jeremiah Fire
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3 Ethanol Water
T: Thomas DaillyF: 13181Career: 59: 22-11-8Prizemoney: $157,760
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4 Late Night News
T: Mary HughesF: 11312Career: 19: 9-4-3Prizemoney: $88,340
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5 Valpolicella
T: Tony ZammitF: 13231Career: 76: 38-10-15Prizemoney: $1,117,488
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6 Black Silencer
T: Tom TzouvelisF: 72211Career: 53: 23-15-4Prizemoney: $134,500
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7 Pass Mark
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 28131Career: 52: 16-8-8Prizemoney: $121,295
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8 Groovebird
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 43212Career: 53: 15-6-8Prizemoney: $74,505
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9 Ace’s Chance
T: Jeff CrawfordF: 11373Career: 53: 15-14-8Prizemoney: $76,725
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10 Akela Ninjutsu
T: Martina KirillidisF: 43214Career: 32: 3-2-6Prizemoney: $34,145
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