SA West End Distance Championship & Anniversary Cup Box Draws
Last night at Angle Park we witnessed greyhound chasing at its best with two heats of the West End Draught Distance Championship and five heats of the West End Draught Anniversary Cup.
South Australia's star chaser Kalden Mayhem for Troy Murray showed why he is still a force to be reckoned with on the National scene after a brilliant finishing burst secured the first heat of the Distance Championship. At the ripe old age of 4½, Kalden Mayhem ran through a gap in the shadows of the post between exciting Victorian Proven Impala who had led most of the way and the NSW trained Robert Andrew who was also powering home, to claim victory by ¾ of a length in a solid 43.36 for the 731m journey.
Proven Impala was sent out a short priced favourite and held on well for second and should be further improved for next weeks final with seasoned campaigner Robert Andrew a further ½ length away in third place. All three look to have strong claims in next weeks Group 3 feature.
The fastest qualifier for the final was in heat two with the Victorian trained Mimicking for Rob Britton finishing too powerfully for the Petar Jovanovic trained Cousin Callum recording a 1¼ length victory in a handy 43.33. Mimicking raced up on the pace for most of the race just behind leader Cousin Callum before over powering last years winner in the final straight. Fellow Victorian Maddison Dee ran home nicely for third spot a further 4 lengths away however does look to have the job ahead of her in the final.
Joint feature on last night's program was the heats of the West End Draught Anniversary Cup over the 515m journey with the Group 1 Temlee winner Cintiarna justifying her series favouritism with a strong display in the third heat of the night. Trained in Victoria by Sandra Collins, some thought that box 5 and her first look at Angle Park could be enough for her to be beaten, however those fears were allayed soon after the start where she began well to race up near the lead before taking over into the back straight and racing away for a strong victory. She won in a slick 29.88 by 2½ lengths with Adelaide Cup finalist Prank Call running a solid second. Once the box draw was completed and Cintiarna drew the red she is now confirmed as the race favourite.
A hot field awaits her however, especially Kalden Kurageous for trainer Troy Murray who demolished the clock in the first heat running a sizzling 29.56 and showing his abundance of potential. He defeated Tercel for Karen Bearpark by 3½ lengths who also went super running a personal time of 29.76 and also qualifying for next weeks final.
The inform kennel of Robyn Mackellar produced the second heat winner Just Shine who made it 4 wins from his last 5 starts when he was able to race up on the pace and then run away from his rivals by 4½ lengths in a flying 29.66 defeating Young Snozz who ran home very strongly from a long way back.
Kalden Komoto for Troy Murray caused the biggest upset of the night when he was able to rail strongly over the concluding stages and run down Ritza Ben by 1 length in a solid 29.99.
Kalden Komoto did a fantastic job to qualify considering he came from the pink box and was able to find his way to the rails just off the pace mid race and now gives leading local trainer Troy Murray two greyhounds in next weeks final. Race favourite Fire Tyson found trouble during the run from the inside box and flashed home into third position.
The final heat was taken out by the Jeff Britton trained Mepunga Geordie who continued on his winning way at Angle Park after he won last Octobers Adelaide Cup Consolation. Last night the Victorian began faultlessly from box 5 and pounced on the early lead before opening up down the back and racing away from his rivals to win by 7 lengths in a flying 29.73. The Britton camp have been great supporters of SA feature racing and with Mepunga Geordie making another feature final even box 8 may not stop their run of success.
The box draws were conducted on course last night at Angle Park for the $36,000 Group 3 West End Draught Distance Championship and Anniversary Cup Finals with GRSA fortunate to have Port Power coach, Ken Hinkley, willing to assist with the box draw formalities as he enjoyed a casual night out at the greyhounds.
The West End Draught Distance Championship Final field in Box Draw order is:
1. Mimicking Rob Britton (Vic)
2. Kalden Mayhem Troy Murray (SA)
3. Cousin Callum Petar Jovanovic (SA)
4. Proven Impala Joe Borg (Vic)
5. Robert Andrew Steven White (NSW)
6. Miss Woods Gino Grgurovic (SA)
7. Maddison Dee Michael Chilcott (Vic)
8. Azz Always Damien Mills (SA)
9. Delightful Bond (1st Res) Michael Delorenzo (SA)
10.McLaren Prince (2nd Res) Tania Foster (SA)
The final looks one of the most exciting contests in recent years with only .11 of a second separating the top five qualifiers. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.11pm (SA time).
The West End Draught Anniversary Cup Final field in Box Draw order is:
1. Cintiarna Sandra Collins (Vic)
2. Prank Call Paul Barry (SA)
3. Kalden Kurageous Troy Murray (SA)
4. Young Snozz Petar Jovanovic (SA)
5. Just Shine Robyn Mackellar (SA)
6. Tercel Karen Bearpark (SA)
7. Kalden Komoto Troy Murray (SA)
8. Mepunga Geordie Jeff Britton (Vic)
9. Ritza Ben (1st Res) Matthew Payne (SA)
10.Van Persie (2nd Res) Paul Barry (SA)
The box draw has made for a very interesting contest even with Cintiarna drawing the pole and brilliant beginners Prank Call and Kalden Kurageous drawn right alongside, the first 75 metres will be crucial. It will be race 6 on the program and is listed to jump at 8.28pm (SA time).