2013 COFFEX COFFEE OAKS – BOX DRAW
Last night at Angle Park we saw four enthralling heats of the Coffex Coffee Oaks where the first two placegetters from each heat qualified for next week’s Group 3 final. The fastest qualifier for the final was the Mark Morrissey trained Victorian Kokoda Spirit who led throughout from box 6 in the final heat of the night to record a slick 29.68 for the 515m journey defeating series favourite Xylia Allen for trainer Graeme Bate. She won by an impressive 6 lengths and will be very hard to beat in the final after drawing perfectly in box 2. Champion bitch Xylia Allen lost no admirers after she came from well back in the field after a slow start and finding trouble she sizzled home to run an eye catching second. She has had no favours in the box draw again after drawing box 5 for next weeks final however she still looks the one to beat with average luck in the run.
The first heat of the night was taken out by consistent Victorian Iona Seven for Rob Britton in a flying 29.97 who chased hard during the run after landing on the pace early to go home strongly and record a 3 length victory from South Aussie Wiregrass who battled on nicely. Wiregrass trained by emerging trainer Ben Rawlings looks the best hope for SA to repeat the feats of local champion Hope’s Up from last year after she drew nicely in box 3 for next weeks final.
The second heat of the night was won in tradesman like style by Victorian Purcell Bale who made it four wins on the trot when she lead for most of the way to record a handy 2 length victory in 30.08 from fellow Victorian Lethal Three for Mark Grima who did a nice job to run home for second after a very slow beginning. Purcell Bale gives master trainer Graeme Bate two runners in the final and he definitely knows how to win big Group finals.
The third heat of the night was an all South Australian finish with Wonder Whirl for Mick Giniotis making full use of her inside draw to lead most of the way and score a handy 1 length victory in 30.10 from Long Gully Court for Paula Hearnden. There was quite a bit of interference on the first turn where race favourite Heidi Go Seek was put out of business however full credit to the South Aussies who give themselves every chance to challenge for Group 3 glory next week.
The $35,000 Group Three Final will be run next Thursday night 12th September. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.11pm (SA time).
The Final field in Box Draw order is:
1. Lethal Three Mark Grima (VIC)
2. Kokoda Spirit Mark Morrissey (VIC)
3. Wiregrass Ben Rawlings (SA)
4. Wonder Whirl Michael Giniotis (SA)
5. Xylia Allen Graeme Bate (VIC)
6. Iona Seven Robert Britton (VIC)
7. Purcell Bale Graeme Bate (VIC)
8. Long Gully Court Paula Hearnden (SA)
9. Guru Doll (1st Res) Mark Morrissey (VIC)
10.Black Veil (2nd Res) Robert Britton (VIC)
On course patrons last night also got a taste of things to come in the next few weeks with a few greyhounds trialling in preparation for next week’s Schweppes SA Derby and they couldn’t be anything but impressed with a couple of Mark Delbridge’s star chasers.
Tomac Bale who ran second behind Xylia Allen in the National Sprint final last month stepped out in the first trial and after a slow start really cranked it up to run 4.57, 17.11, 29.87 for the 515m journey. His kennel mate Allen Makoto was just as impressive running a brilliant 4.51, 16.89, 29.82 and both look strong contenders in next week’s heats.
Angela Langton trialled Premier Event also over the 515m later in the night and he ran a handy 30.30 at his first look at the Angle Park track.