Home hero Late Night News leads Association Cup final field
Saturday night’s Group 1 Association Cup heats at Wentworth Park delivered a bit of everything — drama, upsets, and powerhouse performances from the stayers.
In the biggest surprise of the night, Cowra trainer Rebecca Edenborough’s I’m Sally upstaged her more fancied rivals to clock the fastest time of the night (41.84), leading all the way in a bold display of early speed and strength.
South Aussie raider Apilla proved her toughness with a strong staying win at her first look at the track, while WA’s Max Capacity exploded mid-race in a dominant 41.91 for Peter Lagogiane.
Local hope Late Night News rounded out the heats with a polished performance, making it six from seven over the Wenty 720m and currently sitting as the $2.30 favourite with the top greyhound bookmakers.
With the box draw set for Tuesday night, all eyes now turn to next Saturday’s $75,000-to-the-winner final.
Wentworth Park Association Cup heat reviews
Associaiton Cup heat 1: I’m Sally (41.84)
I’m Sally delivered the shock of the night in Heat 1 of the Group 1 Association Cup, jumping straight to the front and giving nothing else a look in with a brilliant all-the-way win in 41.84. Sent out at , the Cowra-based stayer stepped cleanly from box three and took full advantage of early trouble behind to set up a winning break.
The daughter of Fernando Bale and Vicki Keeping has never been known for her early speed, but trainer Rebecca Edenborough said it was the first time her star bitch had led and held that position all the way.
“She’s never jumped in front and stayed there before — she’s always had to weave through them,” Edenborough said post-race.
“But I knew if she made it around safe, we were in with a real chance.”
Law Book boxed on strongly into second, while hot favourite Lanfranco was slow to begin, copped early interference, and had to settle for third after finding the line late.
But the night belonged to I’m Sally, who now has four wins and two placings from six starts at Wentworth Park — a track Edenborough says she loves.
“She just knows she’s going to Wenty when we get her out of the kennel for the drive,” she added.
“I’ve only got five in work, so for one to make a Group 1 final — I’m still in shock.”
Associaiton Cup heat 2: Apilla (42.15)
South Australian visitor Apilla pulled off a tough heat win at her first look at Wentworth Park, powering through late to take out Heat 2 of the Association Cup in 42.15.
After settling in midfield, the Damien Smith-trained bitch punched through a gap, turning for home and surged away for a decisive three-length victory.
“She’d never seen the track before tonight. Never,” Smith said post-race.
“She’s not really on a due preparation for 700 yet — she’s only ever had three runs over the trip — but she went good last week, so we just decided to do the road trip.”
The team left at midnight and drove through the night from South Australia, arriving in Sydney at 4am.
“We swapped every three hours, and we would’ve got here earlier, but the GPS broke down in the pitch black and we had to go further,” Smith laughed.
“Good story. It’d be even better if we win next week.”
Now a winner of 11 from 29, Apilla looms as a serious threat in the final with natural strength and room for improvement after her first look at the track.
Associaiton Cup heat 3: Max Capacity (41.91)
Max Capacity lived right up to the hype in Heat 3 of the Association Cup, delivering a blistering turn of foot mid-race to streak away in 41.91.
Now under the care of Peter Lagogiane, the West Australian chaser got a dream run off the back straight and exploded past his rivals to score by 8.5 lengths in dominant fashion.
“He went good. Like, he didn’t go terrible last time here — he just needed to finish it off, and today he did,” said handler Jorja Howard.
“They always need a look around Wenty. Even the really good ones come here and have to figure it out.”
The win was Max Capacity’s first at Wentworth Park and backed up a smart Cannington victory three weeks prior.
“He’s a very strong dog. I’ve followed him from early in his career — even had a couple of bets on him — so I know what he can do. Hopefully he can give us a Group 1 next week.”
It was a statement win from the son of Vanderworp, and if he draws clear air in the final, he’s more than capable of repeating the dose.
Associaiton Cup heat 4: Late Night News (41.95)
Local star Late Night News justified his short quote with a commanding win in the final heat of the Association Cup, charging home in 41.95 to make it six wins from seven starts over the Wentworth Park 720m trip.
After settling just behind the pace, the son of Fernando Bale railed hard and powered away late to score by over four lengths.
“He does what he needs to do,” said handler Trevor Barton.
“He sat on the rail, waited for his chance, and once he saw daylight, he’s got a nice big motor when he needs it.”
Trainer Caroline Hughes was still taking it all in post-race.
“It’s hard to believe, really. He’s just Cody to me – we do our thing and he does his. To see him make another Group 1 final, it’s just a dream.”
Already a finalist in major events in Queensland and Victoria, a hometown Group 1 win would be a career highlight.
“To win at his home track that he loves – it would be just fantastic,” Hughes said.
“I’d love nothing more.”
Late Night News heads into next Saturday’s final as a deserved betting site favourite and a serious contender for Group 1 glory.