Trainers David Geall and Angela Langton consider each other to be their best friends in greyhound racing.
Based in the Geelong region, they’ve been that way for over 15 years, sharing road trips while racing interstate, taking family holidays together, and even weekly dinners with their respective partners, Rose and Jeff.
So it was apt that the pair should share a piece of history last Friday when Geall’s Koblenz and Langton’s Jepara dead heated in the night’s opening TAB Melbourne Cup heat.
“If we had to draw with somebody, to draw with one of your best friends in the game was a lot of fun and I’m glad we can share this week’s experience together,” said Langton.
It was the first time in the Cup’s 65 year history that two greyhounds hit the line together in their heat. It meant that there were nine heat winners across the eight heats, leading to the slowest heat winner –Typhoon Sammy – being relegated to first reserve.
Fortunately for Koblenz and Jepara, their shared winning time of 29.43sec was enough to qualify for Friday night’s final.
“It was a big relief after the next heat knowing we would be there,” said Geall, who won the Cup with My Redeemer in 2018.
“Cup week is the best week in racing as a trainer. It’s such a huge race, it has the history and to be a part of it is the best for any greyhound trainer.”
“Once you’ve been in a Melbourne Cup, you just want to be part of it again, and we’re lucky to have one good enough to be there this year.
“Cup week is the best week in racing as a trainer. It’s such a huge race, it has the history and to be a part of it is the best for any greyhound trainer.”
Proving the pair are truly inseparable, Koblenz has drawn box 3 for the final while Jepara will jump alongside him in box 2. While Koblenz is rated a leading contender to claim the $500,000 winners’ cheque, Langton will be hoping for luck to claim her first Melbourne Cup.
“Just to make a Melbourne Cup is a fantastic feeling regardless of whether you win or lose. It’s the race we all strive to win and it’s just that exciting to be there again. Hopefully we can have a bit of luck and run a place.”
WATCH: Koblenz (2) and Jepara (6) dead-heat in their TAB Melbourne Cup heat.
Group 1 TAB MELBOURNE CUP FINAL (515m)
Sandown Park, Friday 8:53pm – First prize $500,000
1 AUSSIE SECRET (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)
2 JEPARA (Angela Langton, Anakie VIC)
3 KOBLENZ (David Geall, Lara VIC)
4 ASTON RUPEE (Glenn Rounds, Devon Meadows VIC)
5 LALA KIWI (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
6 LAKEVIEW WALTER (Monique Whelan, Metung VIC)
7 TIBERIA BALE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
8 KINSON BALE (Samantha Grenfell, Anakie VIC)
Reserves
9 TYPHOON SAMMY (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)
10 JAX BALE (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
The TAB Melbourne Cup is the fourth and final leg of the Metro Festival of Racing. READ MORE
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
– Thrill of the Chase with Molly Haines, Gareth Hall and George Farrugia on 7Two and via The Watchdog app from 6-7pm.
– Comprehensive live telecast trackside with Jason Lincoln, Marc Ohlmus and Jason Adams on Sky Racing, watchdog.grv.org.au and via The Watchdog App from 7pm.
– Behind the scenes Twitter coverage with ‘@SandownDogs’ and ‘@WatchDogRacing’.
– Regular updates with Trent Langskaill on RSN Racing and Sport (927 AM).
– Coverage of TAB Melbourne Cup Final with Andrew Copley on 3AW (693 AM).
