‘What A Thrill': Ashlee's Adelaide Cup Dream

TRAINER Ashlee Griffiths is looking for history to repeat itself when Adhana Rico runs in Friday night's Group 1 Adelaide Cup at Angle Park.

David Brasch05 October 2023

TRAINER Ashlee Griffiths is looking for history to repeat itself when recent kennel acquisition Adhana Rico runs out of the eight box in Friday night's Group 1 Adelaide Cup Final (530m) at Angle Park.

Adhana Rico (Fernando Bale-Bella Rico) only joined the Griffiths kennel at the end of August when he was bought by Ashlee's partner Cameron Forshaw.

He was purchased from owner Kouta Karma and out of the powerful Anthony Azzopardi kennel in Victoria and had already been a finalist in the G1 Harrison-Dawson, the G2 Richmond Derby and G2 Geelong Cup.

But it is the amazing similarity to last year's $50 Adelaide Cup winner Buzz Junkie that Ashlee and Cameron are hoping can do the trick on Friday.

“We expect him to be big odds in the final, just like Buzz Junkie,” said Ashlee.

“He will come out of the eight box, just like Buzz Junkie.

“And only a few months ago Cameron and I bought the property from Petar Jovanovic where Buzz Junkie was trained to win the Cup.

Adhana Rico storming away for victory in his Adelaide Cup heat

“And, we also bought the van in which Buzz Junkie was driven to Angle Park on Cup final night.”

Ashlee and Cameron bought the property back in January.

Of Adhana Rico's chances in the final, Ashlee is realistic saying the dog would be much better suited off an inside draw.

“But, he did have the eight in the heat which he won,” she said.

“And, he handled the eight great in that.

“Of course he will need a bit of luck and Schillaci looks the likely leader and the obvious one to beat.”

But, Ashlee says the inside pair of Transponder and Mepunga Smokey will want to drift off the track early and she and Cameron are hoping this can impact on Schillaci early.

“It is certainly a great thrill for us to be in the Cup final,” said 22-year-old Ashlee who has 20 dogs in training at the Lewiston kennels.

Ashlee Griffiths and Cameron Forshow after Adhana Rico's Adelaide Cup heat success Picture: Kurt Donsberg Photography

“Most of them are owned by Cameron.”

Cameron had heard Adhana Rico was for sale and when Ashlee headed to Healesville for the Straight Track Championship series she picked up the dog from the Azzopardi kennel.

He was a first-up Angle Park winner.

The half brother to superstar Hard Style Rico (sire of Schillaci), Adhana Rico has raced 52 times for 13 wins and 20 placings earning $89,000.