Kilty Lad Goes For Hat-Trick In Tough Perth Cup Final
Kilty Lad put in one of the runs of the year last Saturday night when winning his way into the rich Group 1 Perth Cup final. Starting $1.80 favourite from the cherry draw, Kellie Bravo's boom youngster was turned sideways after only a few steps as Octane Show made a dash to the fence.
Once he had found his feet down the back, Kilty Lad looked to take advantage of a rails run, only to have the gap close in his face. Still not deterred, Kilty lad turned for home in fourth place, and despite losing his momentum twice, was still able to find the front just in time for the photo finish.
Although the time of 30.75 was only pedestrian, the effort of Kilty Lad puts the writing on the wall to make it his third Group 1 victory on the trot.
Local star Pedrosa will be looking to stop that from occurring as he takes his rightful place in the final, courtesy of a typical front running heat win. Starting from box five, Paul Stuart's white and fawn flyer began like a shot and took up his customary position in the middle of the track.
Completing the journey in 30.32, Pedrosa never looked like losing and added to his phenomenal record of 20 wins and 5 seconds from 25 starts around the Cannington circuit.
Unfortunately, that race also saw talented Victorian greyhound, Greywinds Doll go amiss on the first corner. Having torn a hock ligament, she has been stood down for 42 days and connections will be hoping it's not her last racetrack appearance.
Queensland champion High Earner gets a chance to defend her Perth Cup crown when she starts from box two in Saturday night's final. Despite finishing last in the recent Warragul Cup final, owner Christine Robartson should feel confident High Earner can produce the goods on a track she has only tasted defeat at once from five races, including a super-slick 29.93 run last year. Although her heat time of 30.25 wasn't quite up to that, it was a length faster than Pedrosa could manage one race later.
Time honours for the night went to veteran sprinter Blue Goose. With mixed form in recent months, it surprised everyone when he bounded out from the eight box and romped in by 9.75 lengths in 30.12. Having drawn seven in the final, she must be considered a live chance with a repeat performance, although the field is much hotter.
Cranbourne Cup winner Gold heritage kept its picket-fence form in tact with a dashing 30.35 win. Leading clearly at the first bend in 5.57, the Victorian ran them off their legs and gave nothing else a chance. Drawn box eight in the final, the dog is sure to strip fitter and will take some beating if it can show the same early dash and cross the field.
Tasmanian chaser Accounts used box one to perfection in the opening heat of the night to score in 30.36. Starting nice odds of $8.40, the widely travelled son of Where's Pedro and Emily's Wonder was able to find space early, mainly due to Symmetry and Surf A Coin both missing the start.
Symmetry looked to have the race in his pocket off the back as he flashed up towards the leaders, but the run disappeared allowing Accounts to scoot away with a winning break.
From the first heat to the last, where Bramley made a successful return to Cannington with an impressive 30.57 victory. Although the field may not have been as strong as some of the earlier heats, Dan Biddle's chaser got the job done and takes his place in the final from box six.
Clearly the biggest surprise of the night was Ben Abercrombie's runner, Liquigas, who upset a good field to take a heat in 30.61. Race caller Peter O'Neill described the race as “very messy” as several runners suffered interference, including favourites Dark Duo and Numero Uno Bale. All credit must go to Liquigas however, as it made its own luck by beginning well and holding off the challengers down the back when it mattered. As a bonus Liquigas has come up with a rails draw and will be hoping to make it a rough result for the $140,000 to-the winner final.
Two consolation events are also being held on the night once again. The first consolation will carry $22,500 for the winner with Kalden Athena looking hard to beat from box eight. Symmetry was very unlucky in his heat and should prove tough to toss, along with Brisbane cup winner He Knows Uno in the second consolation worth $12,000.
2011 Sky Channel Perth Cup (Group 1) $140000-$39665-$19835
1) Liquigas (WA) – Ben Abercrombie – 30.61
2) High Earner (Qld) – Kel Greenough – 30.25
3) Kilty Lad (Vic) – Kellie Bravo – 30.74
4) Pedrosa (WA) – Paul Stuart – 30.32
5) Accounts (Tas) – Greg Martin – 30.36
6) Bramley (WA) – Dan Biddle – 30.33
7) Blue Goose (WA) – Terry Erenshaw – 30.12 BON
8) Gold Heritage (Vic) – Des Downing- 30.35
Reserves
9) Ima Hologram (Vic) – Jason Thompson
10) Kalden Athena (WA) – Dan Biddle
Sky Channel Perth Cup Consolation (1) $22500-$6380-$3195
1) Ima Hologram (Vic) – Jason Thompson
2) Marked Down (WA) – Jack Fleming
3) After The Ball (WA) –Glen Debski
4) Numero Uno Bale (NSW) – Brendan Wheeler
5) Rock Pool (WA) – Ben Abercrombie
6) Ever Grace (WA) – Linda Britton
7) Warabrook Boy (WA) – Terry Erenshaw
8) Kalden Athena (WA) – Dan Biddle
Reserves
9) Oxley Spirit (WA) – Andrew Mclaren
10) Symmetry (Vic) – Robert Britton
Sky Channel Perth Cup Consolation (2) $12,000-$3430-$1715
1) Symmetry (Vic) – Robert Britton
2) Booming Action (WA) – Justin Meuleman
3) He Knows Uno (WA) – Michael Patterson
4) Oxley Spirit (WA) – Andrew Mclaren
5) Vocal Enforcer (WA) – Andrew Mclaren
6) Badja Bale (Vic) – Graeme Bate
7) Chuck Monelli (WA) – Linda Britton
8) How I Roll (WA) – Linda Britton
Reserves
9) Whata Surf (WA) – Linda Britton
10) Mullum Magic (WA) – Terry Erenshaw