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  • Thursday, 10 Oct, 2013,
  • by Greyhound Racing Victoria

PRIDE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA


Ernie Bung Arrow and trainer Ken Gill. Source: News Limited 
 
 
ARROW TAKES AIM AT ADELAIDE CUP


By Tom Biddington, Adelaide Advertiser

He’s the pride of South Australia and tonight Ernie Bung Arrow will attempt to become the first hometown winner of the Group 1 Adelaide Cup since Miss Spicy in 2006.

After taking out his heat in fine style last week, the planets have aligned for the rising star of the greyhound world, who has drawn perfectly in box eight for the $107,500 final at Angle Park.
 
“I couldn’t have asked for better,” trainer Ken Gill said.

“I would’ve taken box one, but his trait is getting up the track a bit so eight works out well.

“The six (Kokoda Spirit) and the seven (Peter Rocket) crash to the rail, so he might get left alone out there.”

Since bursting onto the scene in June, Ernie Bung Arrow has become a cult hero, winning 12 of his 13 starts, including the Group 3 SA Derby last month.
 
The son of Lochinvar Marlow confirmed his standing by beating out some top open-age sprinters with a strong all-the-way victory in last week’s heat, covering the 515m trip in a slick 29.60 seconds.

The rest of the country is following ‘Ernie’s’ progress intently, including him in the first round of invitations to the Group 1 Topgun while he was named the Australian Greyhound Racing Association’s Greyhound of the Month for September.

“He knows he’s a star,” Gill said.

“He gets his photo taken and he thinks he’s somebody.”

Having a runner in the Adelaide Cup final is nothing new for the Lewiston conditioner, who qualified Where’s Diamond in 2010, but Ernie is a far more realistic hope.

Rob Britton’s two runners – Iona Seven (box three) and Farmor Las Vegas (box five) – shape as the biggest dangers after recording the two quickest heat wins last week, while Tony Lagana’s Fire Tyson is the other SA representative.

This is clearly the biggest test of Ernie Bung Arrow’s fledgling career and he will need to use his explosive early speed to give himself a chance.

“I don’t really expect him to win, but I’m hoping,” Gill said.

“I think he needs to get to the front and for there to be a mix up on the first turn.”

Iona Seven and National Sprint Championship runner-up Tomac Bale share favouritism at $3.80, just ahead of Ernie Bung Arrow ($4) and Ronan Izmir ($4.20).

Tonight’s Adelaide Cup is scheduled for 9:23pm (SA time).

VIDEO REPLAYS
HEAT 1 – Farmor Las Vegas 29.36sec
HEAT 2 – Ronan Izmir 29.63sec
HEAT 3 – Tomac Bale 29.63sec
HEAT 4 – Iona Seven 29.41sec
HEAT 5 – Ernie Bung Arrow 29.60sec

ADELAIDE CUP FORMGUIDE: CLICK HERE

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FAMILY’S ADELAIDE CUP DREAM

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GRV regulates the sport of greyhound racing in the state of Victoria under the Racing Act 1958 (Act), which includes setting standards and ensuring they are met by participants.

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