Victoria’s sprinting ‘top brass’ showed authority in the $142,750 Group 1 Adelaide Cup final (530m) at Angle Park on Friday night.

The ‘Big V’ provided the trifecta in the $100,000 to-the-winner event – Transponder (Jason Thompson), Big Energy (Jackie Greenough) and Mepunga Smokey (Jeff Britton).

Ironically, it was the first time the Vics have run 1-2-3 in SA’s signature sprint since the Thompson-trained Hooked On Scotch defeated Whiskey Riot and Sennachie in 2019.

In a race for the ages, Transponder ($4.60) staved off Big Energy ($4.60) by 0.1L, with Mepunga Smokey ($10) 1.6L away third in 30.27sec.

The ‘Transponder v Big Energy’ rivalry continues to play out in amazing fashion.

“He responded like a tough, hard race dog.”

Big Energy accounted for Transponder in the Launching Pad Runway final before Transponder turned the tables in a Speed Star H2H (finishing runner-up on overall times) and the Adelaide Cup.

Meanwhile, Big Energy and Transponder finished second and third respectively on overall times in the recent SA v All Stars Match Race Challenge.

Victoria had six finalists in the Adelaide Cup – also including Crackerjack Bull (5^th), Launch Code (6^th) and $2.20 race favourite Schillaci (7^th).

It was Thompson’s fifth Adelaide Cup victory. He has also saluted with Whippy’s Image (2008), El Galo (2009), Aqua Cheetah (2016) and Hooked On Scotch (2019). His wife, Seona, won the race with Real Simple in 2018.

‘Team Greenough’ was chasing their second Adelaide Cup, having scored with Hotline Hero in 2004, while Britton was hoping for a third success in the race. He won with Mepunga Nicky in 2011 and prepared the quinella with Do It and Mr. Fix It in 2021.

However, to the winner go the spoils and Thompson was elated with Transponder’s ‘true grit’ victory.

“He responded like a tough, hard race dog,” he proudly said.

“I knew we had a dog that had the ‘motor’ to win a Group 1. They’re not easy to win, so it was just a matter of his ability and an element of luck coming together.

“I also knew he’d handle the ‘red’, as the boxes are differently situated at Angle Park.

WATCH: “I’m not sure… What a finish in the Adelaide Cup.” TRANSPONDER (B1) holds off BIG ENERGY (B3) in a race for the ages.

“He’ll get a run in the Topgun, so that’ll be his next major assignment.”

Owned by Amanda Tullio, Transponder (Mar ’21 Deliver x Unquestionably) – bred by Mark Filomeno – brought his race record to 20 wins (with eight seconds and four thirds) from 37 starts and $289,715 in prizemoney.

Back in June, he landed the Listed Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter title.

Pawnote: Twenty of the 25 Adelaide Cups staged since 2000 have been won by Victorians.