2020 TAB ADELAIDE CUP – REVIEW
Like most sporting events in 2020, this year’s edition of the Adelaide Cup was effected by COVID-19 with a maximum of 1,000 people allowed on course. However this did not stop those in attendance from enjoying the atmosphere under perfect conditions and an outstanding field being assembled for one of the most anticipated Group 1 events on the National calendar.
Star Victorian Catch The Thief in the care of Petar Jovanovic was heavily supported for the series after he drew box 1 for the final after his direct entry into the Adelaide Cup by winning the Match Race series two weeks ago. He was sent out a warm $1.70 favourite however there was strong local support for Golden Night for Troy Murray, Victorian Taken in the care of Ray Murray and the queen of SA sprinting Coorong Lucy for Cameron Butcher which all won their respective heats of the Cup last week in impressive fashion.
There was a huge roar from the crowd in anticipation of the start but it went to another decibel level when Coorong Lucy exploded from box 3 on dispatch to lead the gun field to the winning post on the first occasion in a blistering 4.31. In close attendance was Emerley Zero (box 5) for Judi Hurley while Catch The Thief moved to third along the inside from his rails draw. Golden Night stayed close on the heels of Catch The Thief from box 2 with Mepunga Isla in the care of Laurie Cahalan also in close attendance. Taken missed the kick from box 6 and found himself back last with the job ahead of him in the feature final.
Into the back straight and Coorong Lucy was flying in the lead with Catch The Thief railing strongly, checking of her heels and coming to the outside to challenge. Golden Night and Mepunga Isla moved through to third and fourth as Emerley Zero gave ground out wide. Major Major for Troy Murray after an average beginning began to make ground, weaving a passage from the rear of the field.
Off the back straight and Catch The Thief had moved up powerfully to Coorong Lucy and put paid to her as he raced to the lead with one paw on the Cup. Quickly into second went Golden Night as he railed strongly to come out after the leader. Mepunga Isla followed Golden Night through the inside as Coorong Lucy began to give ground. Major Major was also making good ground along the inside as the crowd cheered in anticipation of a grand stand finish.
Turning for home and Catch The Thief was in the lead but the run appeared for Golden Night along the inside with the two gun chasers settling down to fight out the Adelaide Cup. In a desperate charge for the line Golden Night poked his nose in front right on the line to take the Group 1 feature by a neck in a flying 29.55 from Catch The Thief with both greyhounds running outstanding races. Mepunga Isla ran another super race in SA to be beaten a length back in third while Major Major ran home well along the rails into fourth.
This is the second Group 1 Adelaide Cup for trainer Troy Murray who won his first back in 2006 with star sprinter Miss Spicy and also breaks a sequence of 6 Victorian wins in SA ‘s premier event which was last taken out by the locally trained cult hero, Ernie Bung Arrow in 2013.
Golden Night is owned and bred in NSW by Kairouz and with Friday nights win he took his career earnings past $90,000 with a record of 14 wins and 10 placings from 34 starts. With the joint collaboration from GRVIC and the Meadows GRC Golden Night has also secured a spot in the Group 1 Topgun at the Meadows on Saturday 7th November should connections accept due to winning the Group 1 TAB Adelaide Cup.