Match Races Set To Ignite At Angle Park
The Adelaide Cup is fast approaching with the Group 1 feature race just two weeks away, but this Thursday night at Angle Park will see one of the key lead-up events with the SA v All-Stars match race series to be run.
A significant event on the calendar, the match race series has attracted some of the fastest chasers in Australia, with a prize of direct entry into the Adelaide Cup final for the overall winner of the series.
Past winners of this race have been particularly noteworthy, with the most recent being Wow She’s Fast, who won the event last year and broke the track record in the process.
Before that, it was Aston Rupee, who had no luck in the final after drawing box eight while Hooked On Scotch went onto win one of the most incredible Adelaide Cup finals after progressing through the series in 2019.
This year's match race series is particularly strong, with the four chasers representing the All-Stars team, likely to start favourites for their match-races. The strength of fields is highlighted by the fact that Transponder for Jason Thompson has been ranked first with Schillaci, who went close to the Angle Park track record last week, being the fourth rated dog
The depth in nomination also saw Afire, who won the Victorian Speed Star Series just a few weeks ago as the reserve for the All Stars.
One local who will be looking forward to the challenge of taking down the ‘All Stars’, is the Brenda Oakey trained Fiorano, who has been Mr. Consistent in recent starts, having won six out of his last seven, largely thanks to his terrific early speed.
Two starts ago, he took out the ‘Kings and Queens’ series final, in a quick 30.55 before winning last Thursday after a short freshen up, running 30.51. His recent form has been most impressive for Oakey with his consistent early speed proving quite pleasing.
“I think he’s been in very good form, he’s been quite impressive and is racing very well.” Oakey said.
This week will present a new challenge for Fiorano, as he will go one out with the highly accomplished Panama Pepper, who will line up under the guidance of South Australian trainer Ben Rawlings, following a last start seventh at Albion Park in Brisbane.
Whilst it might seem daunting to some, Oakey has full confidence in her chaser and believes that he can cause an upset.
“I think Panama Pepper is obviously a very impressive dog, a very talented dog. I think you will see an improvement in the times this week with Fiorano, in previous weeks he has had it to himself a little bit in the fact that he jumps clear and gets a break on them and he has not had anyone test him, whereas I think they will test him a bit more this tie,” Oakey said.
“He will run his guts out like he does every week, he will just dig deep. Eight dogs in it so an eight to one chance I guess!”
“Yeah, I train him so I’ve got to say yes! (in regards to the chances of beating Panama Pepper) I’m his (Fiorano) biggest fan, I think he’s right in it.”
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On a terrific card, we will see a super strong grade 5 event of the 530m distance, which will see last start Group 3 South Australian Oaks winner, Where’s Poppy, likely start as one of the favourites from box one.
It’s a deep field, which includes star Queensland chaser Dolly Dutton, who will exit box three. Last start Million Dollar Chase heat winner Kruger Lass will also line up in the event, when she comes out of box four.
Kruger Lass has become quite an accomplished chaser as she has continued her career, but clearly her last start victory was and will likely be her most memorable in her career, as she defeated the strongest field that the Broken Hill Greyhound Club has likely ever seen.
With that win, Kruger Lass has booked her ticket into the Million Dollar Chase semi-finals, which will be held at Wentworth Park on October 6th, which is the same night as the Adelaide Cup Final. It’s been a whirlwind period for her trained Bronwyn Welsh and connections, with the stunning upset victory bringing with it plenty of attention.
“It’s been crazy actually! We’ve had a lot of interest because she’s a bush dog and is going to the big smoke, so we’ve had Sky Racing and a few interviews, which has been interesting. We’ve let her have a bit of a let up, so it will be her first run since the final. She’s had a bit of a break.” Welsh said.
Welsh will be unable to trial Kruger Lass at Wentworth Park before the Semi-Finals and thought that by bringing her to Angle Park, it would best resemble the track.
“She doesn’t really like Angle Park, but the reason we’ve come back is that it’s apparently the closest we can get to Wentworth Park with the shape and all. We won’t get to trial her at Wentworth Park so she will be going in cold into the semis, but I thought a run at Angle Park would help, it’s the same layout. I’d like to give her maybe one more run, maybe at Gawler if we can between now and the final.” said Welsh
In what is a tough race, Welsh has no real expectations for the race, and will just be looking for some luck midrace.
“Kirin Corby’s dog (Where’s Poppy) will be off and gone! Kruger Lass is notoriously last out, it just depends, in that Broken Hill final, the two ‘Bale’ dogs are good dogs. When they cleared out I thought she was even able to get in touch with them but she surprised all of us and ran them down. It just depends how it unfolds, she will be at the tail end so hopefully she can get into the rail and tuck herself in there. If she’s anywhere in touch with them coming around the home turn then she’s always in the hunt.” said Welsh
The first race starts at 6:39pm local time on Thursday.
Best Bet: Mepunga Roz (Race 5, Number 3)
Value Bet: Adhana Rico (Race 8, Number 6)