Mallee Magic Throws Down Adelaide Cup Gauntlet

SOUTH Australian breeding and training great Cameron Butcher will turn 76 in two weeks time and he is hoping for an early birthday present.

“Yep, we are all getting old,” he admitted today. “That's why we don't train any of our dogs now. The two and a half hour drive to Angle Park has taken its toll.”

Cameron and his wife Yvonne race Mallee Magic, a son of their own great Worm Burner and Group 1 winner Bells Are Ringin, and he goes into next Thursday night's Group 1 Adelaide Cup final (530m) off the rails and the fastest heat winner.

Box Draw for next Friday nights Group 1 Adelaide Cup. Star chaser Wow She's Fast draws the 5, can she still win? A race not to be missed. pic.twitter.com/pGDsKdfgne

— SA Greyhound Tips (@TheDogsSA) September 29, 2022

His 30.12 success by four and a half lengths over Victorian star Dusty Bourbski for trainer Tony Rasmussen was impressive to say the least.

“Here's hoping,” said Yvonne of Mallee Magic's Cup chances.

“Neither Tony or us have won an Adelaide Cup and it would be special for both of us to do so.

“But Wow She's Fast looms large.”

G1 Adelaide Cup final (in box draw): 1 Mallee Magic, 2 Top Quality, 3 Fernando Mick, 4 Zippy Tesla,  5 Wow She's Fast, 6 Photo Man, 7 Dusty Bourbski, 8 Buzz Junkie. Res: 9 Hill Top Jack, 10 Zara's Ivan.

Mallee Magic came off box two when scorching to the front to lead throughout in his heat and his rails box draw has the Butchers enthused.

“There is a lot of speed in the final,” said Yvonne. “But, if he gets out, he's got a good chance.”

Glen Pask, part-owner of Bells Are Ringin contacted the Butcher for semen for Worm Burner and Cameron asked about buying a dog and a bitch from the litter.

Triple treat ??????

Three Victorian greyhounds including Group 1 winner ZIPPY TESLA triumphed in their respective #AdelaideCup heats at Angle Park.

Could one of these chasers upstage WOW SHE'S FAST in the Group 1 final on October 7?

? @TheDogsSA#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/VAYWQ3jxLP

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) September 29, 2022

Mallee Magic is the result and he has already won a G3 SA Derby among his 19 wins and eight placings from 40 starts  for $142,000 in stakes.

“We bought him because he looks very much like Worm Burner,” said Cameron.

Worm Burner, winner of the G1 National Sprint and a multiple Group placegetter and finalist, made an Adelaide Cup final.

“He's still as lively as ever around home and still the fastest dog we've got on the property,” he said.

Tony Rasmussen was bullish about the dog's chances.

“He's been a worry over time with muscle and wrist problems, but he's sound now and off the one it's a massive help,” he said.

“Yes, I know Wow She's Fast is a super bitch, but we all know in any big race  we all need an ounce of luck.

“From box five she won't want to make any mistakes at all.”

The Rasmussen kennel won the last five races at Angle Park on Thursday night.

“We've made the Adelaide Cup before and been placed a few times, but never won one. It and the Oaks are the two big races we are yet to win in our state.

“For us South Australians, the Cup is the race to get into. It's a big thrill.

“To have won the heat in the fastest of the night is something.”

Other heats of the Cup went to:

Top Quality ran a quick 30.43 to beat Zara's Ivan for Ben Rawlings.

David Geall's Fernando Mick made yet another feature final when beating Springvale Max in 30.39 by five and a half lengths.

Buzz Junkie for Petar Jovanovic ran 30.81 to down Orejitas narrowly.

Classy Victorian Photo Man for Gavin Clifton ran 30.40 to win by four and a quarter lengths over Who Told Shorty to make yet another feature final.

Prolific Group finalist Zippy Tesla ran 30.34 to win by three lengths over Hill Top Jack.