2015 Classic Triple M Adelaide Cup Heats
2015 CLASSIC TRIPLE M ADELAIDE CUP HEATS
Five terrific heats of the Classic Triple M Adelaide Cup have been drawn together for Thursday night’s meeting at Angle Park. GRSA received 40 final nominations for the Group 1 series with 23 from South Australia and 17 from Victoria including Group 1 winning super star Fernando Bale who will be shooting to surpass the $1,000,000 prizemoney mark if successful in the final.
The first heat, which is race 4 on the program due to start at 7.45pm (SA time) see’s Victorian Dyna Double One for trainer Andrea Dailly looking to make amends for his last start 4th in the BGC SA Derby when he started a short priced favourite. He found trouble on that night after a slow beginning however he has drawn box 8 on Thursday night which is the same box he blistered around the Angle Park circuit in the Derby heats when he ran 29.30 for the 515m journey. He is a classy customer and looks very hard to beat however there is pace from the locals drawn inside with Scarp Missile (box 6) in career best form for Trevor Jessup and Gun McBain (box 3) for Todd Kelly who is resuming after a couple of months off due to injury. Gun McBain has trialled recently and if he could find his best form he is one of the best chances for SA getting a runner through to the Group 1 final on Friday week. This heat is full of quality with Victorian’s Percy’s Lad drawing perfectly in box 1 for Kelly Bravo who was placed in the SA Derby earlier this month and Mepunga Armagh for Jeff Britton looking to qualify again for the Adelaide Cup after he made the final last year but was withdrawn due to injury.
The second heat is race 5 due to start at 8.09pm local time and see’s reigning SA Derby winner Fever Pitch for Victorian trainer Rinaldo Divirgilio return to do battle in the Group 1 series. Fever Pitch was brilliant in his heat and final of the Derby running 29.56 and 29.52 on both occasions out of box 8. On Thursday night he has drawn the pink rug again putting him right up there with the top chances which also includes Secret Spell for Kelly Bravo. Secret Spell (box 7) is a very interesting runner in that she hasn’t raced for 2 months and resumes on Thursday night but glancing through her form she did defeat superstar Fernando Bale at the Meadows three starts back. She has won 17 races and almost $125k in prizemoney so she is a big watch in the heats. Weston East for Victorian trainer Angela Langton has not fared well in the box draw coming from the yellow however he has plenty of ability and is very strong in his races. Last start winners Lektra Utopia form Victoria and locals Sunday Shoes, He Isn’t Really and Mrs Bubbles have to be given some chance of causing a minor upset.
Heat 3 due to start at 8.28 pm (local time) has outstanding sprinter Kayda Shae engaged fresh from his super second in the feature Speedstar series at Sandown where he ran a sizzling 29.10 in running second behind Smart Missile. He has drawn box 6 which shouldn’t worry the son of Kilty Lad who interestingly won the 2011 Adelaide Cup for trainer Kelly Bravo. His main challenger will come from the Victorian trained Shared Equity (box 2) for trainer Angela Langton. She possesses brilliant speed highlighted by her third in the Healesville Cup just behind Kayda Shae who ran second. She is drawn nicely and looks a massive danger but they will both also be looking out for Coffex Coffee SA Oaks winner Elfin Bale for Andrea Dailly who returns fresh from a FFA win at the Meadows. Elfin Bale was impressive in winning the SA Oaks series defeating Angie Rocks and with her experience on the track offsetting her outside box on Thursday night she has to be considered. Reigning SA Greyhound of the Year Wild Soul for Kim Johnstone finally gets a look at an inside box after drawing box 3 and his form is much better than on paper so with his powerful finishing burst he could also be a great hope for the locals.
Heat 4 which is race 7 on the program due to jump at 8.52pm (SA time) is probably the most even with many greyhounds given a chance. It should be a charge to the first turn with plenty of pace on offer with luck in running playing a huge part. Victorian Armed And Ready for trainer Brooke Ennis has a flying 29.36 to his name three starts ago at Sandown and put the writing on the wall for a tilt at the Adelaide Cup with a super 4th in the Speedstar series. He will be challenged by Texas Titan for Jeff Britton who ran 3rd in the Speedstar series and did run 4th in last years Group 1 Adelaide Cup final. He is very strong and has raced quite a few times on the Angle Park track which should suit him nicely for his SA Bred and Owned connections. The locals have a terrific chance of qualifying here with Real Flash for trainer Troy Murray drawing perfectly in box 8. She has run a PB 29.49 from this very box and has the class after winning the WA Oaks earlier in the year. Valladares for Lauren Harris will be hoping to qualify for his second Adelaide Cup after he made the final last year. He has brilliant early dash and looks the likely leader. Lachlan Brown has a massive amount of potential and has drawn the red box for Paula Hearnden. A lot of good judges think he will be one of the stars of the local scene in the next few months however at just his 6th lifetime start he might find some of these a bit too seasoned.
Race 8 due to start at 9.12pm local time is the fifth and final heat with all eyes of the Nation looking to see if superstar Fernando Bale can continue his golden run of Group success and be the first greyhound to go past the 1 million mark. He needs to win the final but first the Andrea Dailly flyer needs to qualify through the heats which will not be an easy task. Fernando Bale has drawn perfectly in box 3 and should spear to the front and that should be the end of the penny section however a couple of locals will be hoping to upset the champ. Blurred Lines for Ben Rawlings has slowly been getting back to his brilliant best and with his electrifying pace he could easily find the front and give “Fernando” something to chase. He can carve out brilliant sectionals and did lead the Adelaide Cup final 12 months ago when he ran a super second. Current Gawler track record holder It’s Classified for Troy Murray has drawn awkwardly out in the pink box however he was far from disgraced in the SA Derby final when he ran a solid 6th as the sole SA representative and with some luck early can run home hard. Both Weblec Belle and Waymore’s Blues have very good interstate form and definitely look place prospects but one feels it may be Fernando Bale stealing the show on Thursday night.
The Classic Triple M Adelaide Cup Final carries total prizemoney of $107,500, with the winner to receive $75,000. With five heats each winner and the three fastest second placegetters will progress through to the Group 1 Final on Friday night 9th October.
The Box Draw for the Adelaide Cup final will take place on course after the running of race 9 this Thursday night at approximately 9.45pm (SA time)
For those greyhounds that miss out on qualifying for the Adelaide Cup final there will be a $8,565 consolation on the program where trainers will need to renominate to be considered. We will also have the Premier’s Cup worth $9,140 over the 731m on the program open to all greyhounds along with other graded events.