2017 Oaks and Derby - Box Draws
Last night at Angle Park it was a racing lovers delight with both the Coffex Coffee SA Oaks heats and BGC Industrial Cleaning Supplies SA Derby heats conducted on the same night and what a night of racing it was.
The SA Oaks heats kicked of the night with two terrific races. The first heat was won in stylish fashion by Slinky Inky for Jeff Britton who was able to lead for most of the trip. She held of a strong challenge from Hoo Gur Affair for Angela Langton who went for an inside run down the back straight and was slightly checked costing her a length. She only went down by half a length and could easily go one better next week. They both went terrific with Slinky Inky running 29.91 for the 515m journey while Serene Machine ran home solidly into third place for Jamie Quinlivian.
The second Oaks heat was won by Alpha Themis for Jeff Britton who bounced back from her disappointing last at headquarters two weeks ago with a strong all the way victory in a slick 29.97. Osakalaka ran solidly into second place for Jessica Sharp and with the inside box next week she really comes into calculations. Series favourite Paradiso Lass ran home very well into third place for Jeff Britton and her supporters would have liked the run however she will need a better beginning and luck from box 6 if she is to win next weeks final.
The $35,000 Group Three Final will be run next Thursday night 21st September. It will be race 6 on the program and is listed to jump at 8.28pm (SA time).
The Final field for the SA Oaks in Box Draw order is:
1. Osakalaka Jessica Sharp (Vic)
2. Serene Machine Jamie Quinlivian (Vic)
3. Libby Raider Paula Hearnden (SA)
4. Hoo Gur Affair Angela Langton (Vic)
5. Slinky Inky Jeff Britton (Vic)
6. Paradiso Lass Jeff Britton (Vic)
7. Sassy Kist Kiah Hurley (SA)
8. Alpha Themis Jeff Britton (Vic)
9. Comaneci (1st Res) Tom Tzouvelis (Qld)
10.Dazzling Liesel (2nd Res) Ken Trowbridge (SA)
If the Oaks heats were a wonderful entrée then we weren’t disappointed with the main course when the boys stepped out in the SA Derby heats.
There was much anticipation in the first heat to see if Mepunga Blazer for Jeff Britton could emulate his sizzling 29.48 trial performance two weeks ago however no one expected his blistering exhibition of speed and stamina. The son of Barcia Bale and Mepunga Nicky began brilliantly from box 7 and speared straight to the front and from their it was all about times and margins. He won by 11 lengths in a blistering 29.25 making him one of the fastest greyhounds ever to compete on the Angle Park loam. He defeated Bundles Galore for Enzo Crudeli and Dyna Elvio for Mark Delbridge. Mepunga Blazer has drawn box 7 again in the final and it will be exciting to see what he may produce next week.
The second heat saw the very well named Mr Pupparazzi for Barry Riccio run home powerfully to score a super victory in a solid 30.03. Giving leaders Vanderworp for Chris Halse and Mepunga Tycoon for Jeff Britton a start he sizzled home to claim victory however box 8 in the final may be a tough ask for the NSW visitor. Vanderworp ran a nice race first up in SA leading most of the way and should be improved by the effort next week after drawing box 2 for the final and Mepunga Tycoon ran a solid race in third.
The final heat saw one of the most even heats contested but it was QLD visitor Maurice Minor for Tom Tzouvelis who prevailed in a very strong performance. He ran a flying 29.64 for the 515m journey and was able to chase down early leader Black Bombshell for Enzo Crudeli in the shadows of the post for a stirring win. Alpha Aion for Jeff Britton was hard on their heels in third place with all three running brilliant times. Their performances last night put them right in contention for Derby honours next week.
The $35,000 Group Three Final will be run next Thursday night 21st September. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.13pm (SA time).
The Final field for the SA Derby in Box Draw order is:
1. Bundles Galore Enzo Crudeli (WA)
2. Vanderworp Chris Halse (WA)
3. Black Bombshell Enzo Crudeli (WA)
4. Mepunga Tycoon Jeff Britton (Vic)
5. Alpha Aion Jeff Britton (Vic)
6. Maurice Minor Tom Tzouvelis (Qld)
7. Mepunga Blazer Jeff Britton (Vic)
8. Mr Pupparazzi Barry Riccio (NSW)
9. Dyna Elvio (1st Res) Mark Delbridge (Vic)
10.Dyna Aviator (2nd Res) Mark Delbridge (Vic)