2024 Melbourne Cup Final Box Draw: Favourite Explicit draws wide
Following a series of exceptional heats, the final field is set for the Group 1 2024 Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park on Saturday, November 30, with contenders vying for a share of the $1 million prize.
Joey The Jet has secured the advantageous Box 1, much to the relief of trainer Joey Thompson. This favourable draw has positioned Joey The Jet as an equal favourite at $3.40 alongside kennelmate Explicit, who delivered a remarkable victory from Box 8 in Heat 3.
“Yeah, it helps (drawing box 1); obviously, the run in any race is super crucial, but in these big races it does play a big part. He is a young dog and he has to use that like he did tonight,” Thompson remarked.
Melbourne Cup Heat 3 Replay – Joey The Jet (29.20)
The Thompson family faces a challenge with Explicit drawing Box 6 for the upcoming final. Trainer Joey Thompson acknowledged the less-than-ideal position but remained optimistic: “It’s not ideal, but with the way the draw is, anything can happen; they’re all good dogs, but the best dog will win next week.”
Explicit showcased impressive speed in the heats, recording a time of 29.05 seconds—the second-fastest of the night—putting competitors on notice.
Melbourne Cup Heat 5 Replay – Explicit (29.05)
In a surprising turn during the Melbourne Cup heats, Topgun champion Excavation, hindered by a Box 8 draw, couldn’t match the exceptional performance of Sunset Frazier.
Trainer Jason Thompson remains hopeful for a withdrawal that could allow Excavation to enter the final, with current odds at $4.50. Meanwhile, Sunset Frazier, now known for his record-breaking second sectional speed, opens at $7 with the Top onlnie bookmakers.
Jeffrey Britton’s charge, Sunset Frazier, delivered a career-best in Heat 2, setting a new second sectional record of 18.35 seconds, surpassing the previous mark held by Fernando Bale.
Craig Britton expressed his gratitude and astonishment: “He has been great all week; we have had a great buildup with him. Thanks to Dave for sending him over to us… For a dog to go like that, it is unreal.”
Melbourne Cup Heat 2 Replay – Sunset Frazier (29.00)
Bradley Greenough’s promising two-year-old, Epitomize, has claimed Box 2 for the Melbourne Cup Final, solidifying his position in the fourth line of betting. Jumping from Box 5 in Heat 8, Epitomize seized the lead early, justifying the $5.20 odds offered at BlondeBet.
Despite a late challenge from Flying Zulu, Epitomize held firm to secure victory in 29.27 seconds.
Post-race, an elated Bradley Greenough reflected on the achievement:”That was his race, and he did it, I am very proud of him. He has shown very early signs; since he has been young, he has shown everything and could do no wrong tonight.”
Greenough added, “It’s an incredible feeling to make it to a Melbourne Cup.”
Melbourne Cup Heat 4 Replay – Epitomize (29.27)
Miss Envy shone brightly in Heat 6, clinching victory by three lengths over Burnett’s Warm Cookies. The WA-based greyhound delivered an outstanding performance, earning the Shinners family their first-ever Melbourne Cup finalist.
The Shinners family shared their excitement after the race: “She is just a little star chaser, and couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Expressing the significance of the achievement, they continued, “When you are young, it is one of those races you come at year after year and you want to get in. To see her out front is just a bit surreal and just absolutely stoked.”
Melbourne Cup Heat 6 Replay – Miss Envy (29.16)
Despite an unfortunate Box 7 draw for Big Energy in the Melbourne Cup Final, Jacqueline Greenough’s nearly four-year-old remains a $7 chance with PlayUp. Big Energy demonstrated her resilience in the final heat of the night, jumping from Box 3 as the $2.30 favourite.
In a tightly contested race, she worked her way to the front, ultimately securing victory by 1.75 lengths over Deadly Avenger (Box 2) and Stormy Day (Box 1).
Jacqueline Greenough kept it brief post-race: “I am extremely proud. It has been a really good night.”
With Big Energy joining kennelmate Epitomize in the Final, the Greenough team matches Victoria’s leading trainer Jason Thompson, each with two contenders vying for the prestigious title.
Melbourne Cup Heat 8 Replay – Big Energy (29.14)
Local pizza shop owner Jihad Talgi is riding high after his greyhound Schillaci pulled off a stunning victory as a $12.60 outsider in the Melbourne Cup heats.
Jumping from Box 7, the 2023 Phoenix winner displayed his class, storming to the lead and holding off the $2.90 race favourite, Blue Kermaro, to win by an astonishing 9 lengths in 29.21 seconds.
An emotional Talgi shared his thoughts post-race:
“There has been a lot of pressure. When you have a dog as good as him, every time you bring him out, he has to perform. I said all along this dog is going better than last year and just needs luck out of the box. We did some box work and thank God. I am in a Melbourne Cup, mate—I am about to cry.”
He added, “We are there now, and I can’t believe it. We just need to draw a good box, and I like him in the odd box to give him time to settle. Hopefully, we get an inside draw and an odd box, and he will do his best.”
Schillaci has landed the ideal Box 3 for the Melbourne Cup Final and enters as an underdog once again, with opening odds of $15.00 being offered at Bet365.
Melbourne Cup Heat 7 Replay – Schillaci (29.21)
Buddy Monelli kicked off the Melbourne Cup heats with one of the night’s biggest upsets, defeating highly regarded contenders Vincent Bale and Field Day.
The three-year-old showed resilience and determination, setting the stage for his second attempt at the prestigious Group 1 Melbourne Cup after last year’s unfortunate fall.
His trainer praised the dog’s fighting spirit:
“He is such a good, honest dog. When you think there is nothing left, he keeps on going.”
Despite clocking the slowest heat time of 29.57 seconds, Buddy Monelli will need a lot to go his way to rewrite last year’s heartbreak and secure a dream victory in the Final.
Melbourne Cup Heat 1 Replay – Buddy Monelli (29.57)
2024 Melbourne Cup Final Box Draw – Sandown Park
Please view the 2024 Melbourne Cup Box Draw below:
2024 Melbourne Cup Final Box Draw & FieldSandown Park515mGroup 1$500,000 to-the-winnerSaturday November 30, 2024
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1 Joey The Jet
T: Jason ThompsonF: 1133Career: 9: 7-0-2Prizemoney: $40,770
+240
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2 Eptimoize
T: Bradley GreenoughF: 1411Career: 8: 7-0-0Prizemoney: $49,260
+450
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3 Schillaci
T: Jihad TalgiF: 1621Career: 39: 16-8-2Prizemoney: $1,183,960
+1400
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4 Sunset Frazier
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 1153Career: 33: 16-9-5Prizemoney: $330,900
+600
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5 Miss Envy
T: Krystal ShinnersF: 1112Career: 18: 12-2-3Prizemoney: $206,332
+550
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6 Explicit
T: Jason ThompsonF: 1418Career: 35: 25-4-1Prizemoney: $472,880
+240
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7 Big Energy
T: Jacqueline GreenoughF: 1111Career: 45: 19-8-2Prizemoney: $549,685
+800
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8 Buddy Monelli
T: Lyn SmithF: 1581Career: 67: 23-8-10Prizemoney: $179,957
+5000
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| Reserves | |
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9 Excavation
T: Jason ThompsonF: 2151Career: 30:13-4-4Prizemoney: $371,775
+350
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10 Deadly Avenger
T: George BorgF: 2132Career: 17: 6-3-3Prizemoney: $36,240
+1000
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