Superstar greyhound My Redeemer ($4.60) secured breeder trainer David Geall his first Melbourne Cup win with a stunning performance on a wet Sandown Park track last night.
Drawn in box one in the $630,000 Group 1 final, My Redeemer used the inside draw to full advantage, holding the rail throughout the 515m feature to win in 29.38sec, powering away from the previously unbeaten Black Opium ($3.00Fav) by four lengths with She’s Gifted ($6.50) third.
It was the second time Geall has had a runner in the Melbourne Cup, with My Redeemer’s older half sister Up Hill Jill missing a place last year.
“As a trainer we all just hope we can one day win a Melbourne Cup, but you never really think you will,” Geall said.
“My Redeemer is such a courageous dog. He’s a great little chaser and he’s so powerful.”
“I’m so proud of him. To breed a greyhound that goes on to win what is regarded as the world’s greatest greyhound race is so surreal.”
It was My Redeemer’s 20th win from 42 starts with the $435,000 first prize taking his career earnings up to $647,870.
It was his second Group 1 win after taking out the Harrison-Dawson at Sandown Park in May.
Later in the night the Robert Britton-trained Barcali won the $150,000 Group 1 Bold Trease (715m).
Barcali was bred in Warrnambool by Noel Mugavin, an uncle of AFL great Jonathan Brown.
