Caption: Victorian trainer Jason Thompson claimed his sixth Adelaide Cup crown with Excavation in early October. (Photo courtesy GRSA)
By GRSA Content Coordinator LUKE MARCHIORO
LUKE MARCHIOROBRILLIANT sprinter Excavation has collected trainer Jason Thompson a sixth Adelaide Cup title with a gritty victory in the group 1 showpiece at Angle Park in early October.
Booking his place in the final with a track record-breaking performance in the All Stars Match Race, Excavation handled himself with aplomb from his box eight draw, pulling clear late to score in 30.08.
In an all-Victorian trifecta, Morton finished 1½ lengths away in second while early leader Fernando Phil filled third, a further neck away.
Excavation’s Adelaide Cup heroics extended the son of Fernando Bale and Thriving’s record to 12 wins and seven minors from 27 starts with stake earnings of $213,875.
The success landed back-to-back Adelaide Cup titles for owner Amanda Tullio and Jason Thompson following Transponder’s thrilling victory in the race last year.
While Excavation landed Jason Thompson a record sixth Adelaide Cup trophy, it was number seven for the family with Seona Thompson winning the race in 2018 with Real Simple.
The remaining Thompson-trained Cup winners are Whippy’s Image (2008), El Galo (2009), Aqua Cheetah (2016), Hooked On Scotch (2019) and Transponder (2023).
On a big night of racing action at Angle Park, the Adelaide Cup Consolation was won by Big Energy for Ben Rawlings.
Runner-up in the 2023 Adelaide Cup finale, Big Energy defeated Afire by a length in 30.30.
Rawlings also claimed the Country Cup with the talented Pet Detective winning in 30.70 just ahead of the Yvonne Maxwell trained Dayne’s Calais.
The Premier’s Cup for the stayers was annexed by Apilla in the final stride over Black Silencer in 42.85 for trainer Damien Smith.
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Coming up:
The $3,700 heats for the Brian Johnstone Series will be run on Thursday, November 7, at Angle Park, followed by the $4,500 semi-finals on Thursday, November 14, and the $37,500 Final on Thursday, November 21.
