In a ‘special edition’ of The Stir Up, GRV’s Gerard Guthrie and Peter Quilty – along with expert form analyst Dale Code – scrutinise the Group 1 Sportsbet Melbourne Cup ‘All In’ market and come up with three $10 bets each, including a ‘roughie’.

You can always keep track of your favourite greyhounds by saving them in your WatchDog Blackbook!

Quilts: Okay, guys, the pressure is on! The Melbourne Cup is depicted as greyhound racing’s ‘Holy Grail’. Unquestionably, it’s one of the sport’s biggest stages. So, let’s delve into the ‘All In’ market.

Gerard: I’ll start with the obvious theory that you’ve got to qualify for the Cup if you’re going to win it! I can’t see Big Energy getting beaten in his heat. He’s shown he’s a genuine Group 1 greyhound now and was enormous in the Shootout last Saturday, breaking 29 seconds for the second time. I’ll start off by ‘investing’ in him at $6.

Dale: I agree, Gerard. On the back of his confidence-boosting win in one of the best Shootouts in history, Big Energy looks probably the hardest to greyhound beat among all the heats. If he makes it through to the final and draws an inside box again… look out. Let’s plonk $10 straight out on this star.

Quilts: Isn’t it amazing that trainership of the first six greyhounds in the market is divided between Jason Thompson – Alpha Zulu ($6), Flying Zulu ($7.50) and Postman Pat ($7.50) – and ‘Team Greenough’ – Big Energy ($6), Wow She’s Fast ($7.50) and Victa Damian ($9.50). I reckon you’re bang on the money with Big Energy. It’s $10 on the ‘nose’ for me as well.

Gerard: The Thompson/Greenough domination is incredible, Quilts. So, I’m sticking with the strength and going with Postman Pat for my second wager. He may have looked a little disappointing on face value when beaten at $1.50 last Saturday, but Jason cautioned he would need the run after a break. That was his first defeat at Sandown, and I think he can bounce back big time. He gets my second $10 investment at $7.50.

Dale: I’m going with Rocket Riot at $15. He’s a brilliant beginner from NSW who ran a slick 5.02 seconds to the first mark on debut at Sandown last run when narrowly beaten. His early speed is elite and should he make the final he could win the race from any box.

Click here for Sportsbet’s ‘All In’ Melbourne Cup market

Quilts: I’ve gone on record declaring Flying Zulu is the ‘next big thing’ and I’m sticking to my guns! How are they going to topple him from Box 1 in his heat? He’s won six from eight and quite aptly boasts a ‘flying’ 29.02sec PB at Sandown. And I have some ‘inside oil’ that he just may be the best in the litter. I’m placing $10 the win at $7.50 thanks very much.

Gerard: There’s amazing value everywhere you look when searching for a ‘roughie’. I’m going with Professor Snitch for a very smart trainer in Steve White. Professor Snitch has a massive motor and she out-pointed the ‘All In’ favourite Alpha Zulu when winning the Warragul St. Leger only five starts ago. She’s going to need some luck from the wide draw, but the very speedy Starline Express on her inside might give her a cart across. I can’t ignore the $67!

Quilts: Finally, I’m nominating middle distance ‘wizard’ Hector Fawley as my ‘roughie’ – at an enticing $31. He was gallant behind Big Energy in last week’s Shootout. What’s more, his Melbourne Cup heat is very winnable. As The Watchdog says: “He will be charging at the business end.” $5 each-way is the way I’m tracking.

Dale: I’m rounding out with Schillaci at $15. He’s drawn well out in seven because any dog that draws on the outside of Tim Zoo (6) has a huge advantage because he’s such a hard railer. Schillaci would have to lead to win the final, but he has shown he’s capable of running times that can win in a group one.

Quilts: Thanks fellas. Looking forward to finding out the effectiveness of our ‘crystal ball gazing’!

Our experts’ ‘All In’ market selections: