Tommy Time: Deadly Avenger Wins Perth Cup
DEADLY Avenger proved to be too strong in the Group 1 Perth Cup (520m) at Cannington on Saturday night for trainer Steve Withers.
DEADLY Avenger proved to be too strong in the Group 1 Perth Cup (520m) at Cannington on Saturday.
The Steve Withers-trained chaser collected the first Group 1 of his career with a comfortable victory by nearly four lengths in 29.43.
For Withers, and his super sire Tommy Shelby, it was their second straight Perth Cup win after Uncle Tommy annexed the race in 2024.
Deadly Avenger was away well from the pole but conceded the early lead to kennelmate Morton, another son of Tommy Shelby, which took advantage of the late scratching of Mepunga Tully in box two, to sweep across from box three and claim the lead.
Morton couldn't break away and Deadly Avenger was able to harass the leader in the back straight before burrowing underneath along the rail to seize the front.
Deadly Avenger then kicked away to put the issue beyond doubt.
Morton held on for second with Miss Envy finishing in third place.
Deadly Avenger is now very likely to come into contention for a slot in The Sandgroper, which will be held at Cannington in late April.
In the Group 1 Galaxy (715m) race favourite Ethanol Water came with a late, late show to claim the race in dramatic fashion.
Ethanol Water landed mid-pack at box rise as Groovebird fired to the front ahead of Miss Ronnie Mac.
Through the middle stages, Ethanol Water lifted her rating and pushed up to be within striking distance but she still had plenty of work to do as they hit the final corner.
She motored down the home straight to power past Miss Ronnie Mac but Groovebird looked to have done enough to secure the win.
Ethanol Water had other ideas however and she surged with a huge lunge in the last few strides to snatch the win by the narrowest of margins in 41.60.
"It was a terrific run," said Joe Dailly, who has been preparing the greyhound in WA on behalf of his brother Tom.
"Your heart's in your mouth when you get that far back but she finishes well."
It was Ethanol Water's third success at Group 1 level following her victories in the Gold Cup and Bold Trease.
In other events, Sunset Hornet took out the Group 3 Perth Cup Consolation (520m).
From box three, Sunset Hornet streaked to the lead when the lids flipped open to establish a big lead in the early stages.
None of her rivals could get near her and Sunset Hornet eased to victory by more than four lengths over Rippin' Moses in 29.51.
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