Superstar Aston Rupee is favourite to create greyhound racing history – on a Saturday night of ‘Premier Racing’ at The Meadows – by becoming the first sprinter to complete the Topgun-Temlee invitational feature double.
Since the Temlee (525m), along with the Rookie Rebel (600m) and Zoom Top (725m), was introduced to open the Australian Cup Carnival in 2003, no greyhound has been able to claim both the Temlee and Topgun, which Aston Rupee won in November.
Click HERE for the latest TAB Temlee market
Aston Rupee heads the Group 1 TAB Temlee market at $2.50, ahead of Group 1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Lala Kiwi (Box 8) at $4.60 and New South Wales star Zipping Kyrgios (Box 5) at $5; however, trainer Glenn Rounds concedes Box 4 is cause for concern.
“It’s another big race and it’s nice to be in it, but boxes are everything and boxes aren’t being too kind to him at the moment,” said Rounds.
“But we’ll deal with it.”
“Boxes are everything and boxes aren’t being too kind to him at the moment.”
– GLENN ROUNDS
Aston Rupee tuned up for the $100,000 to-the-winner Group 1 TAB Temlee with another breathtaking performance at Sandown Park last Thursday night, clocking 28.94sec.
Incredibly, that was the fifth time Aston Rupee has broken the 29-second barrier over 515m, highlighted by his 28.79sec track record.
KEY TIMES
6:29pm First race
7:50pm G1 TAB Zoom Top (Race 5 – first Quaddie leg)
8:08pm G1 TAB Rookie Rebel (Race 6)
8:50pm G1 TAB Temlee (Race 8)
10:15pm Last race (Race 12)
Aston Rupee has also run scintillating time at The Meadows.
‘The world’s fastest greyhound’ announced his arrival as a star of the future on Australian Cup night last year, when winning the Country Championship final in 29.47sec at just his seventh start, only .10sec outside the course record set by Allen Deed.
He also won the Group 3 Speed Star match race series in 29.59sec, and the Topgun, his lone Group 1 victory to date, in 29.66sec.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
– Watch every race live and free on Sky Racing, the Watchdog app and at watchdog.grv.org.au.
– Behind the scenes Twitter coverage with ‘@MelbourneGreys‘ and ‘@WatchDogRacing’.
– Regular updates with Trent Langskaill on RSN Racing and Sport (927 AM).
However, Aston Rupee has finished unplaced at his last two appearances at The Meadows from boxes five (TAB Phoenix) and four and Rounds is wary of another awkward draw.
“It does look like most of the speed is on his inside, although Lala Kiwi (Box 8) can begin,” he said.
“We can begin too, and we need him to begin. It looks like he could be alongside or just behind the two (Idolize) and the three (Spotted Elk).
“He went super again at Sandown last week. That’s the fifth time he’s broken 29 seconds now. As trainers, we’re excited if we get a dog that runs 29.30sec at Sandown but he’s breaking ‘29’ on the bit. He’s a special animal.
“We just need him to step and run. He’s been doing it for nearly 40 starts now and I’m sure he’ll put his best foot forward on Saturday night, barring accidents.”
Here’s a rundown of the contenders:
Group 1 TAB TEMLEE (525m)
The Meadows, Saturday 8:50pm
First prize $100,000
1 KINSON BALE
Trainer: Samantha Grenfell, Anakie VIC
Breeding: August 2019 Barcia Bale x Hae Allen
Record: Won 13 from 53
The Meadows PB: 30.07 seconds
TAB fixed odds: $12
Comment: Group 1 Melbourne Cup placegetter that will be backing up after contesting the Listed Western Districts Derby final at Ballarat on Wednesday night. Has plenty of talent but is yet to break 30 seconds at The Meadows in three wins and has only won once in nine starts from ‘the red’, albeit with six minor placings.
2 IDOLIZE
Trainer: Peter Presutto, Devon Meadows VIC
Breeding: January 2020 My Redeemer x Hightan
Record: Won 9 from 17
The Meadows PB: 30.08 seconds
TAB fixed odds: $10
Comment: Exciting youngster that’s gone to another level, winning the Group 2 Laurels final before a brilliant all-the-way victory in the Group 1 National Futurity final at Wentworth Park at her most recent appearance. Those features were against her own age and sex, so this is much tougher, but she has the speed to take advantage of her inside draw and can give a bold sight.
3 SPOTTED ELK
Trainer: Graham Hall, Marburg QLD
Breeding: March 2019 Paw Licking x It Gets Better
Record: Won 17 from 39
The Meadows PB: No wins
TAB fixed odds: $18
Comment: Queenslander that ventured to The Meadows for the inaugural TAB Phoenix in December, where she led, also from Box 3, holding Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner Koblenz out in the run to the first turn, before finishing second to Wow She’s Fast. Broke 30sec herself (29.87sec) and likely to have benefited from that experience. Should be prominent early.
4 ASTON RUPEE
Trainer: Glenn Rounds, Devon Meadows VIC
Breeding: April 2019 KC And All x Aston Miley
Record: Won 21 from 38
The Meadows PB: 29.47 seconds
TAB fixed odds: $2.50
Comment: Once again lived up to his tag as the world’s fastest greyhound at Sandown Park last start, incredibly breaking 29 seconds for the fifth time. No doubt about his ability to run scintillating time around The Meadows, where he brilliantly won the Group 1 Topgun and Group 3 Speed Star. Trainer admits draw isn’t ideal but with no bad luck is clearly the one to beat.
5 ZIPPING KYRGIOS
Trainer: John Finn, Cranebrook NSW
Breeding: January 2019 Aussie Infrared x Zipping Lilly
Record: Won 26 from 52
The Meadows PB: No wins
TAB fixed odds: $5
Comment: New South Wales star that ran fourth in the Group 1 Gold Bullion final at Albion Park last Thursday night. Only previous appearance at The Meadows came in the Group 1 Topgun when fifth to Aston Rupee. Lack of early speed in this company is the concern but has a huge motor and capable of being in the finish if the breaks go his way.
6 DO IT
Trainer: Jeff Britton, Anakie VIC
Breeding: January 2019 Fernando Bale x Alpha Demeter
Record: Won 17 from 55
The Meadows PB: 29.69 seconds
TAB fixed odds: $9.50
Comment: Group 1 Adelaide Cup winner that’s been competing in elite company interstate of late, running second in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand final and unplaced in the Group 1 Paws Of Thunder final and Group 1 Gold Bullion final (last Thursday night). Races well at The Meadows and ran third to Aston Rupee in the Group 1 Topgun but had Box 1 on that occasion and draw is no help this time.
7 ZIPPY TESLA
Trainer: Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC
Breeding: August 2019 KC And All x Zippy Daph
Record: Won 7 from 26
The Meadows PB: 29.60 seconds
TAB fixed odds: $9.50
Comment: Struck a purple patch of form at The Meadows late in 2021, clocking a scorching 29.60sec victory on TAB Phoenix night and then storming home to win the Group 1 Silver Chief final in 29.79sec. Has been beaten at his subsequent three starts and would be better drawn closer to the rails. Will need luck from out here.
8 LALA KIWI
Trainer: Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC
Breeding: May 2019 Aussie Infrared x Lala Shim
Record: Won 18 from 46
The Meadows PB: 29.82 seconds
TAB fixed odds: $4.60
Comment: Group 1 Melbourne Cup runner-up that showed her versatility when qualifying for Group 2 Traralgon Cup final over 395m last start. Has strong credentials at The Meadows and can handle a wide draw, albeit navigating a path across a field of this calibre won’t be easy. Has class on her side and is one of the key players.
Reserves
9 ORCHESTRATE SCRATCHED
Trainer: Tony Brett, Grandchester QLD
Breeding: March 2019 Barcia Bale x Speculate
Record: Won 17 from 33
The Meadows PB: No starts
TAB fixed odds: $16
Comment: Queenslander with impressive record that was fifth in Group 1 Gold Bullion final at Albion Park last start. In the best of hands but likely to be tested first-up at The Meadows in such esteemed company if a starter.
10 QWARA BALE SCRATCHED
Trainer: Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC
Breeding: April 2019 Allen Deed x Daithy Allen
Record: Won 20 from 54
The Meadows PB: 29.79 seconds
TAB fixed odds: $14
Comment: Dual Group 1 winner, including the Maturity Classic at The Meadows, that would have been one of the first selected in this field six months ago. Hasn’t been far away when placed at her last three appearances but hasn’t won in 20 starts.
Group 1 TAB ROOKIE REBEL (600m)
The Meadows, Saturday 8:08pm – First prize $75,000
1 JUNGLE DEUCE (Ray Smith, Forbes NSW)
2 McCOOLY’S LAD (Anthony Azzopardi, Rowsley VIC)
3 JARICK BALE (Mark Delbridge, Balliang VIC) ?
4 MEPUNGA WARRIOR (Jeff Britton, Anakie VIC)
5 KNICKS BALE (Samantha Grenfell, Anakie VIC)
6 ASTON ULYSSES (Paul Abela, Parwan VIC)
7 EXTRA MALT (Leanne Hall, Marburg QLD)
8 COLLINDA PATTY (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)
Reserves
9 INVICTUS RISING SCRATCHED
10 KING OF CALYPSO SCRATCHED
Click HERE for the latest TAB Rookie Rebel market
Group 1 TAB ZOOM TOP (725m)
The Meadows, Saturday 7:50pm – First prize $75,000
1 HERE’S TEARS (Rob Britton, Lara VIC)
2 MEPUNGA RUBY (Jeff Britton, Anakie VIC) ?
3 HANK THE HUSTLER (Jeff Britton, Anakie VIC)
4 LINE OF QUALITY (Darryl Thomas, Sawyers Gully NSW)
5 MICKS RECALL (Jamie Hosking, Churchable QLD)
6 STANLEY ROAD (Mark Gatt, Thirlmere NSW)
7 GYPSY WYONG (Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC)
8 UNTAPPED (Dustin Drew, Dennington VIC)
Reserves
9 FRANKIE BOY SCRATCHED
10 DRAKO BALE SCRATCHED
Click HERE for the latest TAB Zoom Top market
RECENT TEMLEE WINNERS
2012 Radley Bale (Graeme Bate, Lara VIC)
2013 Cintiarna (Sandra Collins, Hazelwood VIC)
2014 Zelemar Fever (Linda Britton, Nambeelup WA)
2015 My Bro Fabio (Brooke Ennis, Lara VIC)
2016 Dalgetty (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)
2017 Lightning Frank (Mathew Wright, Wangoom VIC)
2018 Striker Light (Brett Bravo, Lovely Banks VIC)
2019 Barooga Brett (Brooke Ennis, Lara VIC)
2020 Whiskey Riot (Anthony Azzopardi, Rowsley VIC)
2021 Wow (Karina Britton, Ambarvale NSW) ?
One of Australia’s leading greyhound racing journalists since 2000 with the Greyhound Recorder and now with Greyhound Racing Victoria. Part-owner 2013 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner Sheikha. (The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of GRV)
The Watchdog has his say on Saturday night’s Group 1 TAB Temlee…
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