Riot Rooster ready for red hot test
A huge night at Angle Park awaits this Thursday night, with three heats of the 2024 Anniversary Cup, which is quite a lucrative series this year.
This years final will carry an increased prize money of $50,000 for the final, which is a substantial lift from last years event and with the increased prize money, it has attracted some quality dogs and even some interstate raiders, with Lyn Smith, Matthew Lanigan, Jihad Talgi and Charmaine Roberts all having chasers involved in the heats.
Local stars in the form of Peaky Boo, Ravers Army and Adhana Rico will be hoping to defy the strong interstate contingent, which include Schillaci (SA Derby winner) and Buddy Monelli (Melbourne Cup finalist).
One of the stronger South Australian hopes is the airborne Riot Rooster, who has been in outstanding form recently, with his last three runs resulting in victories, the last of which was last week where he ran a sizzling 30.26 and handled box eight in the process. His trainer, Ben Rawlings, has been impressed with the rise of the young star, with his last three runs showing tremendous growth for the young dog.
“I thought he would beat (Victa) Marli in the match race, I didn’t think he would run the quickest overall, I thought Adhana (Rich) would pinch him, so I was obviously rapt that he got down to the 30.34. The run the week after was very good as well, then last week, not only for the time but the way he did it, it was probably his best run. He worked over well from the wide draw and then ducked under. I think he’s 12 from 14 now track and distance (Angle Park 530m), so I think it’s just a familiarity thing. I’m not super surprised he’s gotten to where he is, early days he was showing a lot, he won a heap in a row and then won The Spark and he was running good time for a young dog, he only turned two in February.” said Rawlings
Prior to his last three starts, Riot Rooster contested the Murray Bridge Cup series, but ultimately put in a couple of lacklustre efforts, which Rawlings put down to the travel factor.
“His Murray Bridge starts were poor, but he really didn’t travel well up there, his first or second start was going to be up the straight and he was scratched for weight (loss) because he didn’t travel well. If he had a campaign there or he was local to the track, I think he would handle it fine, but the travel and the distance… he just takes a while to adapt to things.” said Rawlings
The task that awaits Riot ROoster on Thursday night is box two, in the third heat, which has drawn quite a strong field, with the likes of Buddy Monelli, Zali Keeping and Triumph all engaged in the race. Despite the strength of the heat, Rawlings has full confidence that Riot Rooster can handle the task and earn his way to the final next week.
“I think he’s got a great chance on Thursday, the one (Zali Keeping) obviously goes good, but the dogs that haven’t seen the track are going to struggle massively I think. We’ve actually got (Matthew) Lanigan’s two and I trialled them box to box on Sunday morning and they both ran in the 5.44-46 early. I think he (Riot Rooster) will find a spot early and he should be able to finish over them.” said Rawlings.
Rawlings also gives his other runner, Peaky Boo, a great chance in his heat, where he looks set for an epic clash against Schillaci.
“I thought Peaky (Boo) was massive last week, he hadn’t seen a circle for two weeks and he had only had two hit ups at my straight leading in. I gave him a nice break after the Melbourne trips because he really felt it going backwards and forwards. I think he will improve and I think he can get down to 30.10. I just don’t want to be clipped by Schillaci early. I am really looking forward to the race.” said Rawlings
“It’s a good series, the extra prize money certainly heaps, so it’s more attractive and you’d expect the better dogs, but still, I am pretty happy going in with the two I’ve got.”
Aside from the three heats of the Anniversary Cup on Thursday, we will also see a distance event over the 730m trip, where emerging star Lena Jinx looks set to add another victory to her career tally, as she and the others prepare for the South Australian Distance Championship final which will be run next week.
A terrific card of racing will start at 6:43pm
Best Bets:
Springvale Grace - Race 10, Number 3
Coorong Cam - Race 12, Number 5