Raw Ability wins the Group 1 Adelaide Cup
Friday the 13th is normally unlucky for some but for Anthony Azzopardi it will go down as one of the his luckiest days after his up and coming chaser Raw Ability stamped himself as a star of the future when he took out the Group 1 UBET Adelaide Cup final tonight.
Earlier in the week the son of Barcia Bale and Bugatti Flyer was at double figure odds to take home the $75,000 first prize however he was strongly supported tonight to start on the fourth line of betting at $6.50.
In front of close to 1,200 people on course, to see one of the best Adelaide Cup line ups in recent history Raw Ability began well from box 4 to challenge for the early lead with strong local hope High Eden Frost for Jan Jones who made full use of his inside box. Race favourite Bewildering for Seona Thompson began well and moved up stylishly from his wide box. Locally owned cult hero Worm Burner was slow out along with Zara’s Entity both finding themselves at the tail of the field. Leaving the front straight both High Eden Frost and Raw Ability matched their motors with Aston Dee Bee for Seona Thompson pushing up behind the leaders before running wide and shoving his kennel mate Bewildering wider. Striker Light moved to third along the inside chasing out after the leaders. Down the back straight and Raw Ability made his move racing to the front of the back straight with High Eden Frost battling on strongly and Aston Dee Bee striding into third. Turning for home Raw Ability was in full flight and raced down to the finish line a convincing winner by 3 lengths in a blistering 29.50 for the 515m journey. Aston Dee Bee claimed a gallant High Eden Frost in the shadows of the post to run second with only a neck separating them. Highlighting the evenness and quality of the field there was just over 6 lengths between first and last with the likes of Bewlidering, Zara’s Entity and Worm Burner all excellent performances but had no luck in running.
Raw Ability is owned by Anthony’s partner Kylee Osborne and everyone in the presentation area could tell it was an emotional victory for the family. Tonight’s victory took Raw Ability’s career earnings to $125,000 with a record of 13 wins and 5 placings from just 24 starts.