Qualification for the Group 1 Adelaide Cup Final will be the goal when superstar Wow She’s Fast returns to action in Thursday night’s Match Race Challenge (530m) at Angle Park.
Wow She’s Fast pleased co-trainer Kel Greenough with a slick 30.19sec Angle Park trial last Thursday in preparation for the SA vs the All Stars Challenge, where the overall winner will gain direct entry into the Adelaide Cup Final on Friday, October 7.
The dual G1 winner is currently $2.30 ‘All In’ favourite for the $100,000 to-the-winner Adelaide Cup.
In her first official appearance since winning the G1 Maturity Classic at The Meadows on July 23, Wow She’s Fast trialled less than four lengths outside Aston Rupee’s 530m track record, established in last year’s Match Race Challenge.
Her time on a wet track also comfortably eclipsed the performances of fellow Victorians Yahiro Bale (30.52sec) and Deadly Class (30.73sec) in winning the G3 SA Oaks and Derby finals respectively.
“Considering it was a wet night and the intricacies involved with the travel and a new track, 30.19sec was acceptable,” said Kel Greenough, whose first G1 victory came in the 2004 Adelaide Cup with Hotline Hero.
“The rain was fairly hectic early, but it eased up after the third race and I trialled after Race 5, so the track was okay.
“It was really difficult to know what to expect. She seems to go better with opposition. When she’s by herself, sometimes her trials are brilliant and other times it’s a bit like she’s out for a Sunday stroll.
“It really is a different lure system and it’s a very quiet lure. When I heard Anthony Azzopardi comment about how quiet the lure is when he took dogs over to Adelaide for the Derby, I changed my plans and decided to go over and trial.
“It meant 20 hours of driving, but you make that extra effort and give them a look.
“Having been there now, I’m not sure if any dog could come out there first-up.”
WATCH: WOW SHE’S FAST (1) will make her first appearance since winning the G1 Maturity Classic on July 23 when she contests Thursday night’s Match Race Challenge in Adelaide.
The Match Race Challenge is Race 3 on Thursday night’s Angle Park card, with Wow She’s Fast to clash with 2021 SA Derby winner Mallee Magic in the fourth and final match at 8.22pm.
“I didn’t know a lot about Mallee Magic, but I looked up the dog and he’s obviously got a fair bit of ability,” Greenough said.
“It’s run two-hundredths off Aston Rupee’s track record (29.97sec) and won over 595m two starts back in 34.04sec. He looks like he winds up with a big run and seems to be a very strong dog.
“I wanted to give her a better build-up than she had before the Maturity, and she’s definitely in stronger nick this time.
“The Melbourne Cup, Topgun and the Phoenix are the races we’re hoping to have her at her peak for.”
Two other Victorians will contest the Challenge; Stout Monelli, trained by David Geall, in Match 1, and Amron Boy, prepared by Brooke Ennis, in Match 3.
PAWNOTE: Next Monday (September 26) will mark exactly 12 months since Wow She’s Fast had her first start, clocking a scintillating 29.09sec in a 27.5L romp at Sandown Park. She’s gone on to win 14 from 19, highlighted by two G1 events and the inaugural Phoenix, while banking $1,168,370.
