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  • Friday, 11 Oct, 2019,
  • by Gerard Guthrie

Hooked On Scotch v Sennachie a promoter’s dream

Superstar Victorian sprinter Sennachie will put his unblemished Angle Park record on the line tonight at 8.38pm as he chases his third Group 1 trophy for 2019 in the TAB Adelaide Cup Final (515m).

Sennachie will be striving to follow in the footsteps of his champion sire Fernando Bale, which famously became the world’s first greyhound racing millionaire when winning the 2015 Adelaide Cup.

The form guide says Sennachie, which started his career in South Australia but after three runaway victories was transferred to Steve White, has won four from five at Angle Park; however that is deceptive.

His only “defeat” at his original home track came in the recent State Of Origin series, where he won his match race in a scorching personal best 29.21s but was shaded for overall time honours by Adelaide Cup favourite Hooked On Scotch, which clocked 29.19s.

That victory allowed Hooked On Scotch, which is prepared by four-time Adelaide Cup winner Jason Thompson, to bypass last Thursday’s Cup heats, where Sennachie’s 29.35s success was the fastest qualifying performance.

“He goes well at Angle Park; we’re just hoping he continues on his merry way,” said Steve White.

The field for the $75,000 to-the-winner Adelaide Cup features seven Victorians, with the inside trio Hooked On Scotch, Whiskey Riot and Sennachie drawn in boxes one, two and three respectively, dominating the market.

Hooked On Scotch, whose last two wins have come in match race scenarios, in the Group 3 Sandown Speed Star and State Of Origin event, is TAB’s $2.25 favourite, ahead of Sennachie at $2.50 and Anthony Azzopardi’s 29.45s heat winner Whiskey Riot at $5.

“We’re probably going to need a little bit of luck; you always do in these big races,” White said.

“It will be all about what happens at the start. I just hope he comes out like he normally does and then can do what he does.

“I’m happy with box three. I’d rather him there than out in the carpark.

“I’m hoping Whiskey Riot in box two might give him a bit of room because it wants to head to the fence. Hooked On Scotch mightn’t be as well suited in a full field but you wouldn’t want him sitting behind you.

“When Sennachie came back from a break in the Speed Star I said that he needed a few more runs to be at his peak and he’s pretty close now.

“It would be nice for Kirin (Corby, part-owner and original trainer) if he could win because she had Fabwik in the race last year, which was favourite but got taken out at the start.”

On Saturday night at The Meadows White is hoping Sennachie’s highly-talented litter sister Gwydion will continue her impressive middle distance form in the Sky Racing Grade 5 Final over 600m.

With fastest heat winner Gwydion boasting four wins and two seconds from her six middle distance assignments, White is hoping she can take another step towards the Group 1 Hume Cup at the same venue in early November.

“I was very happy with her run last week but she’s probably going to have to come out from box two because she likes to get off the track a bit early,” White explained.

WATCH: Sennachie (7) takes out his Adelaide Cup heat in 29.35sec (Best).

Gerard GuthrieGerard Guthrie

Gerard Guthrie

One of Australia’s leading greyhound racing journalists since 2000 with the Greyhound Recorder and now with Greyhound Racing Victoria. Part-owner 2013 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner Sheikha. (The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of GRV)

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