2012 Adelaide Cup Final Box Draw
Last night at Angle Park we witnessed Group 1 racing at the highest level with eight heats of the Triple M Adelaide Cup where some of the best sprinters in the land battled it out for a chance to qualify for the Group 1 Final on October 11.
The fastest qualifier for the final was the Jason Thompson trained Victorian Proven Nitro in heat 3 who raced his way into favouritism for the final after a blistering display of high speed chasing. He made it three wins in a row when he began well from box 3 to pounce on the early lead and peeled of a sizzling 29.36 for the 515m journey in winning by 3½ lengths with his second split time to the back of 16.71 one of the quickest seen in recent years.
The last greyhound to go quicker at the Angle Park circuit was exactly one year ago when Cape Hawke rated 29.33 in winning his heat of the Cup and ultimately finishing third behind the flying Mepunga Nicky in the final. Proven Nitro has blistering speed and will have to show that in next weeks final after drawing box 7 with plenty of speed on his inside.
Jason Thompson produced his second qualifier for the final earlier in the night in heat 2 when strong chaser Coal King staked his claims with a powerful display of chasing. He began fairly from box 5 to initially race midfield before stretching out down the back straight and racing past leader Mepunga Geordie over the concluding stages to win by a lengthening 5½ lengths in a flying 29.71. It was his fifth win in his last 6 starts and his run home time of 12.61 was one of the quickest on the night.
The first of three Andrea Dailly qualifiers came up in the first heat of the night when Big Black Mac showed his true capabilities with an impressive 1¼ length win in 29.66 which was the second fastest heat win of the night.
He was slightly disappointing three weeks ago in the heats of the SA Derby to miss a place however from box 6 last night he began well to race up near the lead early before dominating his rivals over the concluding stages. It took the full 515m in heat 4 for Dailly’s star chaser Heston Bale to secure his spot in the Group 1 final.
Again beginning slowly from box 8 he found himself in all sorts of trouble into the back straight as South Aussie Hope’s Up pounced on the early lead however he amazed on course patrons with his finishing burst and will to win as he swept down the outside to score in a photo from Premier Boloney who had forged his way to the front. Heston Bale’s time of 29.95 was not the quickest on the night but in the manner that he won could not have been more impressive.
The Dailly’s will be working hard to make sure Heston Bale can begin quicker after drawing the coverted red marble for next weeks final. SA Derby winner Spud Regis then made it three for Dailly in the final heat when he led throughout as a short priced favourite to score his eighth win from his last nine starts.
One of the most promising young chasers on the National stage “Spud” again showed tremendous early speed with a 4.41 first split before stopping the clock at 29.85 for the 515m journey.
Handy chaser Wattle Bee provided Angela Langton with a runner in next weeks final when he showed strength and stamina to race up near the lead in heat 7 before running away with a 3½ length victory in a solid 29.92. He will appreciate box 8 in the final where he can do his own thing whilst most of the field try to lead on the first turn.
Joy for the locals came in heat’s 5 and 6 of the Cup when South Australian greyhounds claimed their spots in next weeks final. In heat 5 Andrew’s Courage for Andrew’s Farm trainer Dean Decrea led throughout from box 5 to score an exciting victory when he held on by a head over fellow croweater Koombooyana Girl in a stirring battle to the line rating a solid 30.06.
Then in heat 6 Prank Call for Cooke Plains trainer Paul Barry repeated the dose when he led throughout to score an even tighter nose victory over Victorian Take Me Home in a handy 30.07. Both SA greyhounds have good early speed and should be able to make their presence felt in next weeks hot Adelaide Cup field.
Quo Vadis for Angela Langton went terrific in running second to Proven Nitro and was declared the first reserve as the fastest second placegetter interestingly he was also the second fastest in the series running a personal time of 29.58. Godsend for Jason Thompson was declared second reserve after running second in 29.74.
Another champion will be added to the honour board with the running of the Triple M Adelaide Cup next week where the winning connections will take home the $75,000 first prize and the title of Group 1 winner.
The final will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.23pm (SA time).
Also featured on a fabulous nights racing is the $15,200 Triple M Adelaide Cup Consolation along with the $7,000 Premier’s Cup to be run over the 731m staying trip.
Tattsbet will also be offering a fixed odds market on Thursday nights Adelaide Cup final.
The Triple M Adelaide Cup Final field in Box Draw order:
2012 Adelaide Cup Final
1. Heston Bale Andrea Dailly (Vic) (4.63,17.15,29.95 (RH 12.80) personal times)
2. Andrew’s Courage Dean Decrea (SA) (4.42,16.95,30.06 (RH 13.11) personal times)
3. Coal King Jason Thompson (Vic) (4.57,17.10,29.71 (RH 12.61) personal times)
4. Prank Call Paul Barry (SA) (4.45,16.96,30.07 (RH 13.11) personal times)
5. Spud Regis Andrea Dailly (Vic) (4.41,16.80,29.85 (RH 13.05) personal times)
6. Big Black Mac Andrea Dailly (Vic) (4.49,16.93,29.66 (RH 12.73) personal times)
7. Proven Nitro Jason Thompson (Vic) (4.49,16.71,29.36 (RH 12.65) personal times)
8. Wattle Bee Angela Langton (Vic) (4.51,17.16,29.92 (RH 12.76) personal times)
Reserves
9. Quo Vadis (1st Res) Angela Langton (Vic) (4.49,16.97,29.58 (RH 12.61) personal times)
10.Godsend (2nd Res) Jason Thompson (Vic) (4.57,17.12,29.74 (RH 12.62) personal times)
The $107,500 Group One Final will be run next Thursday night 11th October.
It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.23pm (SA time).