2021 TAB Adelaide Cup Final - Review
A terrific crowd of close to 1,700 people (the most in the last 10 years) attended this years edition of the Group 1 TAB Adelaide Cup. Being run on a Friday night during daylight savings, school holidays, beautiful weather and the fastest greyhound in Australia taking part were all reasons South Australians flocked to the home of greyhound racing at Angle Park.
Super star Victorian speedster Aston Rupee for Glen Rounds set the racing world alight two weeks ago when he booked his spot in the Group 1 final by winning the SA V Allstars Match Race Challenge, in doing so he also became the first greyhound to break the 30 second barrier on the newly developed Angle Park circuit running a blistering 29.95 for the 530m journey. Joining him in the final were the 6 winners from last weeks heats and the fastest second placed greyhound making for a much anticipated final.
The Box Draw also created much interest with Aston Rupee drawing box 8 in a star studded line up but that didn’t stop the strong support for him backed into odds on, starting a warm favourite at $1.85.
With patrons being able to get closer to the action with the redevelopment there was a huge roar from the crowd in anticipation of the start as the light turned green and the next Group 1 champion was only 30 seconds away from being known.
Mr. Fix It for Jeff Britton was unlucky not to make the final in his own right however with the unfortunate scratching of Keep It Black he came into box 3 and made full use on dispatch using his brilliant early speed to lead to the first turn. Kennel mate Do It also began well from box 2 to sit just to the inside of Mr. Fix It while Came And Went for Troy Murray showed his sizzling early speed to race up and challenge in third place. These three had broken away from the main field early with Aston Rupee only average away from out wide and was caught off the track as the remainder of the field kicked up on his inside. Out of the front straight and Mr. Fix It lead the group 1 sprinters from Do It and Came And Went, Aston Rupee tried to cross down but copped a big bump losing all winning chance while local star Jack’s Well for Cameron Butcher found himself near last while Major Major for Troy Murray, Weblec Blazer for Angela Langton and Spring Lilac for Vadim Roz all tried to find a position closer to the rails.
Down the back straight and Mr. Fix It was flying in the lead with Dot It moving to his outside as the Britton pair opened up a gap from Came And Went. Major Major moved to fourth with Jack’s Well sweeping around the outside to make ground quickly. Aston Rupee found himself out of the race but began to make ground in the hope of a late challenge.
Off the back straight and Do It was about to put pay to Mr. Fix It sweeping to the front on the apex of the bend. Came And Went was being strongly challenged by his kennel mate Major Major for third while both were in the sights of Jack’s Well who was going through his gears strongly.
Turning for home and Do It had broken away from Mr. Fix It and raced clear for a strong win. Mr. Fix It held on gamely for second 3.25 lengths back while Jack’s Well stormed home into third only a length away. Aston Rupee ran a game race into fourth after he was put out of the race early. Do It ran a flying 30.07 for the 530m recording the second fastest time at Angle Park since racing started back at the venue a few months ago.
This is the second Group 1 Adelaide Cup for trainer Jeff Britton who won his first back in 2011 with star sprinter Mepunga Nicky. Jeff and his partner Angela Langton have been strong supporters of SA feature racing for many years however with Covid restrictions and getting greyhounds to SA this year has presented many obstacles for them. With the support of their local friends and owners in particular Neville Loechel and Nathan Wilson this win will take on even greater significance due to the hurdles they have overcome.
Do It by Fernando Bale and Alpha Demeter is owned by Kdt Racing, Managed by Jarrod Sharp and is based in Victoria with Friday nights win taking Do It’s career earnings to $198,935 with a record of 13 wins and 17 placings from 43 starts.
