South Australians Ready to Roll in Australian Cup Heats
Just weeks after announcing himself to the country as one of the fastest chasers in work, South Australian trained and owned Victa Damian will line up this Saturday night at The Meadows as a raging hot favourite from box one in the first heat of the Australian Cup.
It was a breathtaking performance last start that saw him take out the Group National Derby in a flying 29.47 at Wentworth Park, which was the quickest of the night with some of Australia’s best going around on the same card.
After having a few starts previously at The Meadows, Victa Damian had a trial there two weeks ago and ran a flying 29.61, which caught the eye of many. That run, along with another quick Murray Bridge trial on Monday morning will see the brindle dog go into the race on Saturday night ready to go.
Whilst the box draw has been favourable, it won't be easy with speed around him and a couple of top liners drawn wider including El Dorado and Yahiro Bale. Victa Damian will need to step well to hold his position, but if he gets a clear run then his ability will no doubt do the talking.
In what is a brilliant edition of the race, Victa Damian is a $5 all-in favourite for the race, which is on the same line as two of the country's quickest chasers in Amron Boy and Wow She’s Fast, which is quite an honour given the dog is only having his second birthday today.
With all things having gone well to this point, connections and all involved are undoubtedly quite excited for the son of Fernando Bale to strut his stuff on Saturday.
“Well we took him over for that trial at The Meadows where he went very well, then we’ve just been working him at home on our own straight track. Then he had a handslip at Murray Bridge on Monday morning.” said trainer Lisa Rasmussen
“We’re happy with the draw, who wouldn’t be from box one! We are a tiny bit worried that he might get smothered by the pacey dogs in box two and three.”
“It’s hard to explain “(the feeling of being a chance in a big race) because we’ve never been in this situation before, it’s still sinking in.”
“They’re (Owners - Ron & Joan Schadow) really excited actually, not only about this weekend but what the rest of his future holds.”
Another South Australian-owned chaser who will be hoping to make his mark in the Australian Cup is the emerging Bobby Axelrod, who will also face his toughest test to date when he exits from box two in the fifth heat.
After leaving South Australia on the back off a flying 30.55 run three starts ago, Bobby Axelrod continued that hot form with a 25.04 win at Ballarat in the Western Districts Derby, before failing in the final. That was two weeks ago and he has now been aimed up at this Group 1 event.
Whilst also quite young himself, Bobby Axelrod will be looking to make the most of his early speed, in order to find the front which will be crucial given the strength of his heat. With the series favourite in Amron Boy drawn wide, along with some other slick chasers in Quinlan Bale and Fernando Mick, it certainly won’t be easy for Bobby.
It has been a fantastic ride so far for Dillon Robinson and Jason Dolan who own Bobby Axelrod and they will be tuning in with eager eyes come Saturday night. If he was able to make the final, then the boys will be making their over to watch their chaser in the final.
The preparation since his last start has been smooth, with a couple of looks around The Meadows having him ready to go for Saturday.
“So he’s had a couple of trials and the trainer seems happy with the times. He’s only had a box to box and a post to post so he hasn’t had a full ‘500’ yet, but he’s on par with what other dogs do there normally.” said part-owner Dillon Robinson
“The inside box is good but he’s got a couple of pretty handy dogs in the race!”
“It’s a different feeling when you’re not training them because you have no control, but to have a dog of that caliber is great.”
Victa Damian will run at 7:09pm SA time whilst Bobby Axelrod will go around at 8:29 pm.