Fabwik runs in to G1 Adelaide Cup final favouritism on night of upsets
In front of a strong school holiday crowd and in fine conditions attention turned to Angle Park to see who would qualify for next Friday nights Group 1 Adelaide Cup final.
The first heat was won in an upset when the Irene Rehamnn trained Master Chaos ran home too well for Vital Force which led most of the way for Victorian trainer Peter Presutto. Master Chaos claimed victory by a nose at 12/1 in a solid 29.93 for the 515m journey and booked his spot in the final. Notorious Mac got home well for third while the short priced favourite Nations was never in play after a slow beginning.
The second heat was thought to be a two dog match race between Fabwik for Kirin Corby and Victorian visitor Aston Kimetto for Seona Thompson however shortly after the start it was a one act affair. Fabwik pounced on the early lead and from there was not challenged. She flew out in the lead to win by over 5 lengths in a blistering 29.48 and stamp herself as the greyhound to beat next week. Bogie Bullet for Ben Rawlings did a good job to hold second while Aston Kimetto got home powerfully after being slowly away.
The next heat looked a battle between the top three greyhounds in the market and that's the way it played out with only half a length separating Real Simple for Seona Thompson, Spring Bridge for Greg Board and Smart Knocka for Tracie Price. Real Simple lead, Smart Knocka sat second and Spring Bridge came from well back to make it a three way go as they crossed the line. Real Simple won by a nose in a solid 29.79 after showing sizzling early speed and Spring Bridge was again luckless in the run.
The fourth heat saw Alpha Aion put his best paw forward for Ben Rawlings and qualify for next weeks final after racing up on the pace from box 8 and out gunning Gemtree Dynamo for Irene Rehmann in the home straight. Alpha Aion ran a slick last section to record a 29.78 victory defeating Gemtree Dynamo and Cairnlea Jet who found plenty of trouble on the first turn.
Heat 5 saw local superstar Honcho Monelli for Tony Rasmussen push hard on the first turn to avoid trouble and come from midfield to sprint past leader Larrikin Locky for Lisa Rasmussen in the home straight. He recorded a flying 29.74 with a 12.58 run home highlighting that he will be a big player in next weeks Group 1. Larrikin Locky ran a bold race for second while Chief's Empire filled the top three.
After the box draw was conducted last night Fabwik for Kirin Corby looks the greyhound to beat after drawing the coveted red box however Group 1 finals are not given away so there are plenty of high quality greyhounds who will look to upset the Fabwik apple cart.
The Group 1 Adelaide Cup Final will be run on Friday 12th October and carries total prizemoney of $107,500, with the winner to receive $75,000. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 8.38pm (SA time).
The Final field in Box Draw order is:
2018 Group 1 Adelaide Cup Final
Also featured on the night will be the $10,710 Adelaide Cup Consolation, $7,375 SA Country Cup Final and the $11,435 Premier's Cup over the 731m for the stayers.