The date has finally come round and the field is set, the 2015 Energis Ballarat Cup is looking to be one for the chronicles with the King, Fernando Bale winning his heat in the best of the night, with Shared Equity taking the honors with the split sectionals that would have lead any heat. All that being said and done, the final looks to be a mouth watering contest.
What a night Wednesday it was, very testing weather conditions for all 8 heats. The quality of greyhound was top notch with 10 group winners amounts the field, any of the heats could have easily been the cup final itself.
Heat 1- The first heat was a cracker, Zoltina’s Legacy bounded straight to the front and lead the field by 3 down the back, Rivergum Drive railed through to be second and Tommy Brislane up the middle of the track third. Zoltina lead into the straight but Rivergum was set to pounce on the right on his hammer and in the last 20 mtrs took over to win in a slick 25.14
Heat 2- The second heat saw the Presutto trained Magic is Might explode from the boxes to lead the field in 6.48 to the first peg, Alpha Zeus lobbed right on his back and the hot pot Aston Bolero bombing the start doing his chances no favours. Magic lead round the home turn with Alpha right there and Stompin making his move up the outside, half way down the straight Alpha took over to power away with Stompin & Crackerjack Max flying late.
Heat 3- The King of greyhound racing returned to the winners list in a dominant victory reeling off huge sectionals, 6.45 to the first peg and 11.13 down the back & 24.88 just .12 off the track record in very blustery conditions. The very game Overlimit himself running a excellent race and even running 25.12 but just no match.
Heat 4- Shared Equity was enormous out of the boxes, exploding to the front that would have seen him lead Frenando. 6.41 to the first mark leading litter mate Shared Bonus & Quint Bale just off, but they were no match as Shared Equity going 11.16 and on to win in 25.03
Heat 5- The second of the Greenough runners in Magic Spring took the honours in an all the way victory. The former New South Welshmen bounded and crossed to the front with Paua to Roar right behind him on the fence. Magic Spring lead into the straight, Benta Bale lifting on the outside & Diego Bale Starting to power through the pack but Magic was off and gone to win in 25.36
Heat 6- The sixth heat was a messy heat, Lektra Utopia flew the lids to lead with Black Illusion coming across hard causing some carnage in the early stages. Those 2 paired off heading around the home turn and Ballerino 3rd the fence a few lengths back, I’m not 100% sure what happened but Black Illusion & Lektra Utopia collided, taking out Earnest Bale and Athos allowing Ballerino to slide through on the inside and run off with the win in 25.70.
Heat 7- Went the Bravo Owned/Trained Unlawful Entry, Phaser lead the field up with Berzerk right on his hammer half a length away and unlawful shoving up on the fence. Phaser took over rounding the turn and Unlawful pushed out Bezerk, where he started motoring right up into he straight to power away and win by 4.3L in 25.25
Heat 8- The final heat also saw some early carnage, Amaro Bale Flew out to lead by 3 lenghts, No Diggity crossed to the fence cutting out My girl Chole who in turn cut off the NSW visitor Kihael Kaluna, Moreira,Caustic Bale and local hope Rosie Rocks. Amaro Bale flew down the back running 6.43 & 11.18 in a slick 25.23 to beat the fast finishing No Diggity.
The final next Friday the 4th of December looks set to be a rippa with so much speed drawn across the track and some powerful finishers Fernando will defiantly have his work cut out for him. Shared Equity holds the key to the race, drawn perfectly in box 8 and with box speed he posses he could possibly lead Fernando and with Rivergum Drive right on their hammer form box 2 and his powerful finish could make things very interesting.
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1. ALPHA ZEUS (Jeff Britton, Anakie)
2. RIVERGUM DRIVE (Kelvyn Greenough, Pearcedale)
3. FERNANDO BALE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie)
4. BALLERINO (Joe Borg, Maryborough)
5. UNLAWFUL ENTRY (Brett Bravo, Lovely Banks)
6. MAGIC SPRING (Kelvyn Greenough, Pearcedale)
7. AMARO BALE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie)
8. SHARED EQUITY (Angela Langton, Anakie)
Reserves
9. OVER LIMIT (Glenn Rounds, Devon Meadows)
10. SHARED BONUS (Jeff Britton, Anakie)
King Fernando Bale
Also on the night we had the 4 semis of the Vic Breeders maiden series.
Some very competitive racing also in tough blustery conditions, this final field will also make a cracker of a final on cup night, hopefully with some youngins to follow for the future.
Heat 1- Went to the very promising Lorimer Lad in 25.76 in possibly the toughest of the conditions early in the night. Massive Com running second also goes through.
Heat 2 - Don the Sash for Nic Mcrae jumped and lead all the way defeating another Ennis trained He Ain’t Sweet in 25.60, both of these greyhounds will go through to the final.
Heat 3- The Dr. Kennels got Dr Toretto to bound straight to the front and never headed to in 25.62. Lektra Uncut flew late to grab second and also goes through.
Heat 4- The final heat went team Bravo and Kilty Express who after getting away midfield pushed up on the fence to take over and power away in the fastest of the heat 25.56. Sisco Wander really got going late to grab second and make the final.
Lorimer Lad in very tough conditions scores to go through to final
