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  • Wednesday, 21 Nov, 2018,
  • by Molly Haines

Melbourne Cup redemption

Lara trainer David Geall will head into Fridays Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup not only grateful for the experience but confident, after his star greyhound My Redeemer drew the coveted box one.

My Redeemer won his heat of the Melbourne Cup last Friday night over Hasten Slowly in one of the most exciting battles of the night.

Hasten Slowly, a four-time Group race runner-up, went head-to-head throughout with My Redeemer’s strength prevailing thanks to a confidence boosting middle distance run in the week leading up to the Melbourne Cup heats.

“It is one of the oldest and with the right dog, the most effective tools in the book,” trainer David Geall said.

“My Redeemer was a little low on confidence, so we put him over 600 metres to get him jumping well.”

My Redeemer clocked his second fastest first sectional at Sandown Park (5.06sec) in his heat and now with his confidence sky high and from the same box that saw him win his first Group 1 race, there are only seven other greyhounds who stand in his path to becoming a two-time Group 1 winner at Sandown Park.

“The Melbourne Cup is a massive race and it’s so important to draw a good box,” Geall said.

“He has proved himself from box one at Sandown in the Harrison-Dawson; between that Group win and how he won his Melbourne Cup heat I think he is in with a big chance – but there are no guarantees.”

This is Geall’s second consecutive crack at the Group 1 Melbourne Cup. In 2017 he lined up My Redeemer’s older half-sister Up Hill Jill who was unable to overcome an awkward box draw.

“It’s a testament to their mother Where’s Demonica. She has been able to produce two consecutive Melbourne Cup contenders – it’s an amazing effort made extra special having bred the litter with my wife Rose.”

“Breeding is a waiting game and the Melbourne Cup is what we as trainers strive to achieve.”

David Geall and My Redeemer
David Geall and My Redeemer
Molly HainesMolly Haines

Molly Haines

Communication Assistant at Greyhound Racing Victoria with 16 years of experience working with greyhounds in all capacities.

Robert Britton with Barcali Robert Britton with Barcali
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