GREYHOUND trainer Anthony Bullock celebrated his biggest win when former Queensland dog Are Ate caused a boilover to win the 2014 Group 3 Dowling McCarthy Hankook Tyres Devonport Cup today.
Are Ate led throughout to defeat An That by a length with Jeff The Tipster third and just in advance of Yappin’ Jack.
Are Ate started as one of the outsiders in the quality field but despite his lucrative price of $23 he proved too strong for his more fancied rivals.
The dog began brilliantly from box seven to lead comfortably from his kennel mate Hellyeah Missile ($12) while his other kennel mate and race favourite Hellyeah Bolt ($2.70) copped early interference as was the case with the other fancied pair of Yappin’ Jack ($3) and Rumbling Rick ($5.80)).
The reserve An That made it into the final when Archie Gumballs had to be withdrawn because of injury and the Rod Campbell-trained dog made the most of the opportunity by finishing second as the rank outsider of the field ($31).
Bullock had three finalists and while it was the rank outsider of his trio that saluted he was thrilled with the result.
“I’ve just won a Group 3 Devonport Cup and while this dog wasn’t the favourite he deserved his place in the final,” Bullock said.
“He has really good box manners and when a dog has that on his side and can run a bit he is going to have an edge on the opposition and that’s how it played out today,” he said.
Are Ate was bred in Queensland and remains owned by the Quad Dog Syndicate that is based in Queensland.
He arrived in Bullock’s kennels soon after the trainer regained his licence in November following a three-month disqualification over a positive swab.
Are Ate was sent to Bullock specifically for the Devonport and Launceston Cups so the dog has achieved his first goal.
He qualified for the final by being one of the two fastest seconds from the six heats.
The runner-up also was second in his heat so it was understandable that the quinella paid $341.20 on the TOTE while the trifecta paid well at $4446 but one lucky punter collected a whopping $21,650 for a dollar investment.
Bullock said Are Ate would progress to the Launceston Cup next month after which he will return home to Queensland to contest the Ipswich Classic series.