Who Will Join Excavation In The Adelaide Cup?

JASON Thompson's quest for a sixth Group 1 Adelaide Cup received a boost with his two runners engaged in Thursday night's heats drawing box one

With All Stars match race series winner Excavation already qualified for the final, the champion Pearcedale mentor will be hoping Tim Zoo and Alpha Zulu can join the new track record holder in the $100,000-to-the-winner final at Angle Park on Friday week.

FIELDS AND FORM ANGLE PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

The winner of each of the four heats as well as the three fastest runners up will progress to the final. Here's a look at each of the heats.

HEAT 1:

Australia Cup winner Tim Zoo (1) hasn't won since March following an injury enforced lay-off but showed he was still one of the country's elite sprinters when running 30.03 in last week's match race series. It took a track record from kennelmate Excavation to beat him, and there's nothing of his calibre in this heat. Afire (4) can lack early speed but has run some slick times in Melbourne and contested this series last year. Fear The Dragon (7) has an excellent record at the track while Raider's Guide (2), winner of the G1 National Sprint Championship at the track in August, will be powering home late.

Tips: 1-4-7-2

HEAT 2: 

When he nails the start, In The Hub (2) is capable of running serious time but isn't always consistent at box rise. G1 hero Morton (7) hasn't won in seven starts since May, but showed enough in last week's match race series to suggest he's close to breaking through. Euler Bale (8) was the best of the locals in last week's match race series and is capable of leading. Mepunga Smokey (3) ran third in the Adelaide Cup final last year, is a professional race dog that is right at home in this class, and with an ounce of luck early can run time.

Tips: 3-2-7-8

HEAT 3: 

Hector Fawley (4) is a superstar and deserves to be a short priced favourite. Grand Tourer (1) showed his class in an impressive 30.22 win here last week and despite being unplaced in six starts from box one, should be thereabouts. Fantastic Spike (7) has an excellent record at the circuit and an impressive 30.25 PB over the distance. Deadly Avenger (5) is a smart pup on the up.

Tips: 4-1-7-5

HEAT 4: 

An interesting heat despite Alpha Zulu (1) coming up as the odds on favourite. The 19-race winner is drawn ideally to progress to his fourth career group 1 but cannot afford to put a paw wrong. Schillaci (3) was unlucky not to represent the All Stars in the match race series having won it in 2023 and his two BON runs this preparation show he's close to being back to his best. Big Energy (6) has been freshened since his staying campaign and should be kept safe. Xile Bale (7) has an excellent record this track and Nangar Express (4) has shown excellent early speed since moving to SA from NSW.

Tips: 1-3-6-4

BEST : Tim Zoo (heat 1)

VALUE: Mepunga Smokey (heat 2)

BLOW OUT: Deadly Avenger (heat 3)

QUADDIE: 1 / 237 / 145 / 13 = $18 for 100%

ALL IN: Not surprisingly, Jason Thompson's three runners head the all-in market. Excavation ($3) heads the triumvirate having already secured his place courtesy of his match race series win last week and is the obvious favourite. Of the three, Alpha Zulu ($7) represents the best value and will not be that price should he make the final. Outside of the headliners, Deadly Avenger ($51) has upside and should he win through, will improve off his first trip interstate. Nangar Express ($51) is a new dog since arriving in SA and with his speed could give them something to chase.