Xylia Allen And Dyna Willow Sizzle In Association Cup Heats
A loam scorching track record run by Xylia Allen stole the headlines with three top quality heats of the Group One Association Cup run and won at Wentworth Park on Saturday Night.
Xylia Allen stopped the clock at 41.53, shaving 0.21 seconds off the record set by Dyna Willow in the Gold Cup final a fortnight ago.
Amazingly, Dyna Willow came out in the second heat and lowered her personal best when she won in 41.69, but it was not enough to see her regain her track record title.
Let's take a look at how the three heats transpired;
Group One Association Cup Heat One
Xylia Allen (1) announced herself as the countries most exciting stayer, dominating the first heat and running her third consecutive track record in the process.
Shanghaiing out of box one, the daughter of Turanza Bale and Tayah Bake (Droopys Vieri – Francesca Bale) quickly opened up a space, running the first 280 metres faster than the current track record which has stood for 11 years.
Alpe D'Huez (6) and Infinite Wish (2) were the early chasers, but it was a solo act throughout as Xylia Allen just got further and further in front, eventually scoring by 11 1/2 lengths from Hala Belle (7) who ran on well for second to qualify for his third Group One Final, with Infinite Wish hanging on for third.
Group One Association Cup Heat Two
Wentworth Park specialist Dyna Willow (5) kept her amazing record at the Glebe circuit intact when she took out Heat Two in the second-fastest time ever witnessed at the track.
Perth Galaxy winner Born Ali (1) led early with Shoe Laces Lady (6) and Dyna Willow parked right on her hammer.
Born Ali managed to hold the ascendency past the post the first time but Dyna Willow loomed large and took over as they entered the back straight.
The daughter of Collision and Horizon Bale (Stately Bird – Vodeena Bale) quickly extended her advantage and raced away to score her sixth race win at Wentworth Park from just seven attempts in a lightning 41.69.
Sweet It Is (3) looks to be a much improved stayer and flew home to finish second for Darren McDonald, while Born Ali hung on for third.
Group One Association Cup Heat Three
With the first two heats always going to tough acts to follow, it was Hailstorm Billy who showed he has a staying future, winning at his first attempt beyond 700 metres in the time of 42.11.
Dyna Kayla (3) left the boxes in a hurry, leading clearly with Hailstorm Billy and Lethal Three (7) in pursuit.
By the time they entered the straight the first time, Hailstorm Billy had already hit the front and opened up a three length break with Lethal Three moving to second and Pumped Up Zarr (8) in third place.
That is the way the front two remained up the back and into the home straight with Lethal Three trying her heart out, but unable to make any ground on Hailstorm Billy, who won by three lengths.
Rocky Bale (5) unleashed a withering burst to fly home and nab second place right on the line, with Lethal Three in third.
The box draw for next week's $75,000 Group One Association Cup is as follows;
1- Lethal Three – Kelly Bravo
2- Xylia Allen – Jenny Hunt
3- Sweet It Is – Darren McDonald
4- Dyna Willow – Steve Collins
5- Rocky Bale – Jenny Hunt
6- Hailstorm Billy – Angela Langton
7- Hala Belle – Peter Akathiotis
8- Infinite Wish – Angela Langton