2014 Macro Meats Adelaide Cup Box Draw
2014 MACRO MEATS ADELAIDE CUP – BOX DRAW
Last night at Angle Park we saw seven fantastic heats of the Macro Meats Adelaide Cup where the winners and fastest second placegetter from the heats qualified for next week’s big Group 1 final.
Leading Victorian trainer Jeff Britton dominated the night qualifying four greyhounds for next weeks final including the fastest qualifier Texas Titan who ran home powerfully in heat 3 to claim leader National Time in the final straight going onto win by 2 lengths in a blistering 29.74 for the 515m journey. Jeff also qualified Mepunga Armagh in heat 6 after he upstaged local hero Ernie Bung Arrow by leading throughout in a slick 29.83 defeating Sidney’s Shadow by 5 ½ lengths. “Ernie” was having his second run in 8 months after injury and bombed the start to the disappointment of the local fans ultimately finishing seventh. Britton secured the final heat with the improving Cosmic Wise who made it three wins on end when she ran home strongly to defeat Emerley Senorita by 2 lengths in a solid 29.84.
Earlier in the night Jeff’s kennel star Oakvale Destiny stamped herself as one of the favourites with another breathe taking finish in heat 4. The SA Oaks winner exploded over the concluding stages to run down leader Dustnado by 3 ½ lengths in a flying 29.78.
The night started off in terrific fashion for the locals in heat 1 when rank outsider Winbrook for Meningie trainer Cameron Butcher upstaged SA Derby winner Iva Vision by head when he was able to lead throughout in a solid 29.94. It was a terrific training performance by Cameron to get the $31.00 chance to track let alone winning after having over 4 months away from the race track.
South Australia’s second finalist came the way of up and coming local trainer Lauren Harris in heat 5 when Valladares used his blistering high speed to avoid trouble on the first turn and race away from his rivals. Whilst there was a big jam up behind Valladares he was still able to run brilliant sectionals in winning by over 7 lengths from Mepunga Moss in a sizzling 29.87.
Heat 2 was won in impressive style by Blurred Lines for Victorian trainer Kelly Bravo who led throughout in a brilliant 29.75 with the kennel hoping to repeat the feats of 2011 when their star chaser Kilty Lad won the Adelaide Cup.
As impressive as Blurred Lines was the performance of Allen Deed for Andrea Dailly to run second and secure the lucky loser’s spot in the final was even more remarkable. After an average beginning he seemed to lose is spot out of the front straight and entering the back straight he was back second last and looking to move to the outside. Spotting Blurred Lines over a dozen lengths he began to accelerate as he raced past his rivals as if they were nailed to the fence. Turning for home he looked like running a place but to get within a neck of the winner was outstanding with all eyes now on the sectional times. Allen Deed’s final section of 12.29 was the fastest run home time recorded at Angle Park over the 515m bettering the time set by WA Champion Miata of 12.33 set in the SA Oaks final of 2011 when she flashed home for second behind Mepunga Nicky.
The box draw has made for an even more exciting race with Jeff Britton’s quartet favourably drawn especially Group 1 winner Oakvale Destiny who loves the red almost as much as Texas Titan loves the pink. Local hopes will rely on either Winbrook or Valladares showing early speed to hold a forward position and fight off the late challengers however if Blurred Lines can show the speed he produced in the heats then box 7 shouldn’t worry him crossing. The big unknown will be whether Allen Deed can hold a forward position from box 2 but if he can it seems no greyhound in Australia will be able to run past him.
The $107,500 Group 1 Final will be run next Friday night 10th October. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.18pm (SA time).
The Final field in Box Draw order is:
1. Oakvale Destiny Jeff Britton (Vic)
2. Allen Deed Andrea Dailly (Vic)
3. Winbrook Cameron Butcher (SA)
4. Mepunga Armagh Jeff Britton (Vic)
5. Cosmic Wise Jeff Britton (Vic)
6. Valladares Lauren Harris (SA)
7. Blurred Lines Kelly Bravo (Vic)
8. Texas Titan Jeff Britton (Vic)
9. National Time (1st Res) Darren Brown (Vic)
10.Iva Vision (2nd Res) Peter Young (Qld)