Schweppes Melbourne Cup a Classic Final
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MEDIA RELEASE 26th November 2006 “Schweppes Melbourne Cup a Classic Final” A record five bitches to contest Melbourne Cup An extraordinary five bitches qualified for Australia’s richest greyhound race at Sandown Park tonight, creating what promises to be the most keenly contested Schweppes Melbourne Cup in recent history. Miss Mini Mouse ($3.10) secured her berth in Australian greyhound racing’s blue riband event with a scintillating 2.25 length win in 29.71. The Group 2 South Australian Oaks winner will take her place in the final alongside littersister Betty’s Angel ($2.50F), who proved too strong in her heat to win in an impressive 29.77. Betty’s Angel will attempt to become the first greyhound since Sydney Dingaan in 1986 to complete the Sapphire Crown – Melbourne Cup double. Paul Bartolo narrowly missed out on a third Cup runner when the third member of his outstanding litter, Leprechaun Pace ($3.60F), was narrowly defeated by Group 1 Maturity Classic winner and Group 1 Sky Channel Topgun runnerup Train A Journey ($3.70). Despite beginning only fairly, Train A Journey railed strongly to win his heat in 29.79. An impressive trial last Saturday morning confirmed the Group 1 Maturity Classic winner had overcome any injury concerns following his fall in the Group 3 Silver Bullet, and is sure to be well supported in this week’s final. Underrated bitch Cash Up ($4.40) gave master trainer Graeme Bate his 19 th Cup finalist when she capitalised on the favourable box 1 to secure a comfortable five length win in 30.10. Pure Burst ($7.30) crossed from box 7 to win the opening heat of the night in 29.92. Wayne Vassallo’s Group 1 Laurels Classic winner took her career earning towards $100,000 when holding out the well supported My Shout ($2.50F) by 3.5 lengths in 29.94. Ryght Way caused the upset of the night when the $55 outsider upstaged $1.60 favourite Jaimandy Coops. Looking to become the first greyhound since Bombastic Shiraz to claim the Triple Crown, Jaimandy Coops began poorly and found trouble at the first turn. After then being forced wide, the Benalla Bullet rallied strongly in the home straight, but had no answer for Ryght Way, who powered to the line in 30.13 seconds, 1.75 lengths clear of Flying Kangaroo ($33.50), with Jaimandy Coops a fastfinishing third. Continued on Page 2… 2 Jason Thompson uncovered a potential star when Run’s House ($9.40) won the eighth and final heat. At just his seventh race start, the son of Awesome Assassin led all the way to hold off dual Group 2 winner Vapour Whirl ($2.50F) by 1.25 lengths. At just 20 months of age, Run’s House is looking to become the youngest greyhound since Kantarn Bale (1999), and least experienced greyhound ever to win the Schweppes Melbourne Cup. Laurie Banner gave Glenn Rounds and Judy Hayley their first Cup finalist since winning the 2001 Cup with Classic Capri with a convincing 5.75 length win in 29.73. GROUP ONE – SCHWEPPES MELBOURNE CUP $150,000 to the winner Pure Burst 23 starts 1163 ($97,395) Token Prince – Hotburst Fawn Bitch August '04 Owner: A Cuschieri, J Yusi Trainer: Wayne Vassallo Sandown Park best: 29.85 (5) (10 Starts 521) Group 1 Laurels winner at Sandown with a strong record at the track. She was disappointing as favourite in the recent Sapphire Crown final, but had plenty of excuses. Drawn perfectly in the red alley and has sufficient pace to hold the lead if she can jump as she did in the heats. Red box has won the last four Cups. Laurie Banner 21 starts 1141 ($36,355) Brett Lee – Tess Banner Black Dog November'04 Owner: Barry Gibbons Trainer: Glen Rounds Sandown Park best: 29.66 (1) (4 Starts 201) Same training combination took out this race in 2001 with outsider Classic Capri. Never in doubt during emphatic heat win and looks to be well suited from the draw. He should find himself well and truly in the mix at the first turn. Extremely talented sprinter who has recorded a flying 29.66 from an inside draw at the track. Run’s House 7 starts 401 ($14,075) Awesome Assassin – Amy’s Sonnet Red Fawn Dog March '05 Owner: Seona Hood Trainer: Jason Thompson Sandown Park best: 29.92 (4) (2 Starts 100) Attempting to become the youngest and least experienced winner in the Cup’s 51 year history. Showed enormous toe to lead his heat last Thursday, but will need to repeat the dose to challenge this lot. Leading trainer Jason Thompson will have him cherry ripe on the night. Genuine eachway proposition. Betty’s Angel 15 starts 1011 ($92,850) Brett Lee Leprechaun Yap Black Bitch November '04 Owner: Diane Bartolo Trainer: Paul Bartolo Sandown Park best: 29.77 (7) (5 Starts 400) One of two litter sisters in the final by Brett Lee out of Leprechaun Yap. Has an outstanding strike rate including a victory in the recent Group 1 Sapphire Crown Classic. Not much of her but what there is lacks nothing for class. Will still press for favouritism despite the awkward draw. Do not underestimate. Train A Journey 21 starts 1311 ($121,200) Primo Uno – Currency Tears Black & White Dog April '04 Owners: Steve Karlusic & Andrew Marth Trainer: John Galea Group record: WON G1 Maturity Classic Sandown Park best: 29.71 (2) (5 Starts 310) Group 1 Maturity Classic winner who has battled with injury all year. Potential superstar for young trainer John Galea and will make his presence felt. Not a super beginner and will almost certainly need luck from this awkward draw. Will prove a massive threat if he can just obtain a clear run. Each way. Miss Mini Mouse 17 starts 732 ($39,565) Brett Lee Leprechaun Yap Black Bitch November '04 Owner: Diane Bartolo Trainer: Paul Bartolo Sandown Best: 29.71 (6) (5 Starts 111) Litter sister to Betty’s Angel who carried this rug to an impressive victory in last week’s heat. Won the South Australian Oaks in fast time back in September. Quick beginner who registered lightning splits for first two sections of her heat win. Is capable of leading all the way. Keep very safe. Ryght Way 29 starts 866 ($37,320) Carlisle Jack – Leannan’s Way Black Bitch February '04 Owner: G P & L P Ryan Trainer: Frank Ryan Sandown Best: 30.10 (1) (16 Starts 333) Giant killer who toppled the mighty Jaimandy Coops in the slowest heat win last Thursday night. Does look to be out of her depth here, but is a very strong finisher. Will need a lot of luck to find the rails and then a bit more to catch the leaders. Record at the track is only fair. Hard to have and will start long odds. Cash Up 68 starts 17108 ($73,668) Primo Uno – Reeba Honcho Black Bitch January '04 Owner: Keith Dawson Trainer: Graeme Bate Sandown Park best: 30.00 (1) (33 Starts 773) Most experienced runner in the field which always helps in these types of races. She could be the one to pounce if there is a traffic jam at the first turn. Only runner for master trainer Graeme Bate who has made this race his own. Will get plenty of racing room and could prove to be the fly in the ointment for her more fancied rivals. Torque Bale 29 starts 1091 ($26,950) Brett Lee – Ashton Bale Good beginner with a solid strike rate at Sandown. Would have the polish of trainer Graeme Bate going into the race which is always worth a couple of lengths at the business end of the season. Would probably need to pinch a decent break down the back straight to win. Not impossible if he gains a start. Leprechaun Pace 15 starts 732 ($42,570) Brett Lee – Leprechaun Yap Gallant in defeat last Thursday night when she ran into one better on the night. Another sister from the outstanding litter that already boasts two finalists. Consistent type with a couple of very fast times under her belt. Unlikely to gain a start, but worth a thought for multiples should she make it. Continued on Page 4 … 4 Local expert’s selections for the final are as follows. Ron Hawkswell Matt Corby Eddie Caruana 1 st Miss Mini Mouse 1 st Laurie Banner 1 st Laurie Banner 2 nd Laurie Banner 2 nd Betty’s Angel 2 nd Train A Journey 3 rd Pure Burst 3 rd Miss Mini Mouse 3 rd Miss Mini Mouse Local Market for the Schweppes Melbourne Cup: $215,000 Group 1 Schweppes Melbourne Cup (515m) Box Greyhound Trainer Price Pure Burst Wayne Vassallo $4.50 Laurie Banner Glenn Rounds $5 Run’s House Jason Thompson $9 Betty’s Angel Paul Bartolo $4 Train A Journey John Galea $8 Miss Mini Mouse Paul Bartolo $5 Ryght Way Frank Ryan $51 Cash Up Graeme Bate $16 Torque Bale (RES) Graeme Bate $51 Leprechaun Pace (RES) Paul Bartolo $26 What’s happening on race night? Melbourne Cup night is always jam packed with lots of excitement for on course patrons, this year the crowd will be entertained by a MARTIAL ARTS DISPLAY (Chinese Youth Society), BLUE (Jazz/Vaudeville Act) a CHINESE DRAGON DISPLAY plus the National Anthem performed by Elise Beattie.