2013 SCHWEPPES DERBY – BOX DRAW
It was a cold and wet night last night at Angle Park however we saw four outstanding heats of the Schweppes Derby where the racing was of the highest level. The fastest qualifier for the final was the Andrea Dailly trained Victorian Hawk Alone who made full use of his inside box in the first heat to rail hard and lead and go on and record a strong victory in a sizzling 29.82 for the 515m. The Dailly’s will be chasing back to back SA Derby’s after their star sprinter Spud Regis won last year and then came back to Angle Park three weeks later and won the Group 1 Triple M Adelaide Cup. He will be joined in the final by Kiss Me Ketut for Victorian trainer David Burnet who lost no admirers with his performance. He was wide on the track from box 7 and found a little bit of trouble however he kept coming in the straight to be beaten 6 lengths and is one of many chances in next weeks final.
The second heat of the night got all South Australian hearts racing as local speedster Ernie Bung Arrow stepped out in what looked one of the hardest heats on paper. The Ken Gill trained flyer showed his normal brilliant speed from box 7 to comfortably lead his competition however over the final stages he was strongly challenged by Yogi Blue for Robyn Mackellar and Victorian Tonk for Charles Mercieca however he hung on gamely to record a neck victory in a brilliant 29.89. Yogi Blue finished a game second however was subject to a stewards inquiry and vetting after the last race resulting in him being ineligible for next weeks final. The box draw for next weeks final was subsequently held over until this morning resulting in Tonk who was the fastest third placegetter being drawn into the final eight. Ernie Bung Arrow and Tonk are both SA Bred and will also be shooting for a $3,500 bonus for their breeders if they can win as part of the SA Bred Super Bonus scheme.
The third heat was a terrific race with Allen Makoto for Victorian trainer Mark Delbridge just grabbing Kalden Gambino for Troy Murray in the shadows of the post to win by a head in a solid 30.06. Both greyhounds went terrific and should be further improved for next weeks final.
The final heat was a huge upset for favourite punters with long odds on favourite Tomac Bale for Mark Delbridge missing the kick and finding big trouble before flashing home for third spot however he was beaten over 10 lengths and failed to qualify for next weeks final. Local hope Senni Tony for trainer Colin Swain was able to find the early lead from box 8 and from there raced away from his rivals going on to win comfortably at the huge odds of over 40/1 in a handy 29.95. He will be joined in the final by Osbourne Bale for trainer Andrea Dailly giving her two runners in the feature Group 3 event after he finished second 8 lengths away.
The $35,000 Group Three Final will be run next Thursday night 19th 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. Tonk Charles Mercieca (VIC)
2. Ernie Bung Arrow Ken Gill (SA)
3. Senni Tony Colin Swain (SA)
4. Kiss Me Ketut David Burnet (Vic)
5. Hawk Alone Andrea Dailly (VIC)
6. Allen Makoto Mark Delbridge (VIC)
7. Kalden Gambino Troy Murray (SA)
8. Osbourne Bale Andrea Dailly (Vic)
9. Hellyeah Bolt (1st Res) Peter Hili (TAS)
10.Encosta Kahn (2nd Res) Kathy Johnstone (SA)
Further Information:
Shaun Mathieson
(08) 8243 7100
Racing Manager
Greyhound Racing SA