Much of the hype surrounding the Group 1 Melbourne Cup has centred on the Jason Thompson-trained Hooked On Scotch – dubbed “the fastest chaser on the planet”.
And rightly so, considering he’s won four group races from only 15 starts and lowered Sandown’s 515 metre track record in a Melbourne Cup heat last week.
But playing ‘second fiddle’ for Thompson is Flynn (Box 4), and he’s not just making up the numbers.
It should be remembered that Flynn has a blistering 29.08sec PB winning time at Sandown recorded in the Bill Collins Speed Star – just over two lengths slower than Hooked On Scotch’s track record.
“He certainly had a very kind box draw (one) in his heat, which allowed him to get through to the final,” Thompson told RSN927’s Simone Fisher.
“Hopefully, he can come out on terms with Whiskey Riot and that can get him into the race. I’ve noticed when he gets to the first corner, he possibly does want to move out a dog or two. So, to be drawn in four, at least he won’t be hard up against the fence, particularly going through that first turn where he needs a little room.”
Flynn, who boasts a 50% winning strike rate, is contesting his fourth group final. He’s rated an $8 chance on the TAB Fixed Odds market.
Jason Thompson is chasing his fourth Melbourne Cup win, and if successful it’ll more than likely be Hooked On Scotch – but it would be perilous to write-off ‘understudy’ Flynn!
