The country’s fastest greyhounds converge on Sandown Park this Thursday night for the heats of the world’s richest greyhound race, the TAB Melbourne Cup.
Featuring 26 individual Group race winners – 15 at Group 1 level – the greyhounds contesting the heats have combined for 828 race wins and over $6.8m in prize money.
“TAB Melbourne Cup heats night is the most exciting night of racing on the greyhound calendar,” said Sandown Racing Manager Mick Floyd.
“We’re delighted with the depth and quality of this year’s heats, but you’d expect nothing less when you’re racing for a spot in a final worth $600,000.”
My Bro Fabio, Iva Vision, Allen Deed, Chica Destacada and Awesome Project are just some of the greyhounds that headline the heats, while there will be plenty of interested onlookers from around the country with greyhounds from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia set to greet the starter. There will be overseas interest as well with Above All aiming to become the second New Zealand bred greyhound to claim the world’s richest greyhound race.
There are 34 trainers with runners engaged in the heats, however only two – Darren McDonald and Andrea Dailly – have won the TAB Melbourne Cup before.
After running third in the 2013 Melbourne Cup, Hawk Alone returns for another tilt at the title, as does fellow finalist Kiss Me Ketut. Should Hawk Alone claim the 2014 edition, he will break the recently retired Xylia Allen’s prize money record of $743,730. Keybow would become the first greyhound to reach $750,000 in prize money with a win in the final, while dual Group 1 winner Buckle Up Wes would take his prize money to an incredible $942,720.
The TAB Melbourne Cup heats are supported by four heats of the Solo Bold Trease for the country’s top stayers. RSN Sandown Cup winner Sweet It Is will be out to land her fourth Group 1 event, however will have to get past the likes of Shall She Rock, Mepunga Tiara, Zipping Maggie and Born Ali if she is to claim the $100,000 first prize in next week’s final.
The first of 12 Group 1 heats will be run at 7.04pm. Entry to the track is free, and all races will be broadcast on Sky Racing (ch 519 on Foxtel) and RSN – Racing And Sport (927am). Free Watchdog form guides are available by clicking here.
The winner of each TAB Melbourne Cup heat – and first two in each Solo Bold Trease heat – will progress to the final on Friday 21 November.
The box draw for both finals will be conducted at Sandown Park at midday on Friday 14 November, and will be simulcast on Sky Racing and RSN.
