Sale Cup final runner-by-runner greyhound tips & preview | 26/12
The 2024 Sale Cup stands as a pinnacle to conclude Group 1 racing in Australia’s for the year over the demanding 640m distance. Held annually on Boxing Day at Victoria’s Sale Greyhound Racing Club.
With a lucrative $75,000 winner’s purse and a total prize pool of $113,500, the Sale Cup remains a coveted title for connections, capping off the greyhound racing year in style. The 2023 edition saw Shane Drummond’s Drill Sergeant etch his name into the record books, clocking an impressive 36.65 seconds to set the track standard over the adjusted distance.
With Canya All Class the clear favourite after drawing box 1 and the breaking the track record in his heat. Keep reading for our runner-by-runner betting preview of The 2024 Sale Cup finals:
Can Canya All Class win the Sale Cup?
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1 Canya All Class
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Canya All Class, trained by Jessica Hopkins, is the fastest qualifier for the Group 1 Sale Cup, boasting a record-breaking 36.19 in the heats. This two-year-old son of Shima Shine has proven unstoppable from Box 1, with a perfect four-from-four record. Known for his exceptional track sense and finishing burst, he commands respect as a leader who rarely falters under pressure. With 16 wins from 25 starts, there is much Canya All Class can do wrong over this distance. If he can replicate his heat performance, he will take a power of catching and will be an easy win with a new track record. The -153.85 on offer with the top greyhound bookmakers will most likely shorten.
Can Succeed win the Sale Cup?
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2 Succeed
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Succeed, trained by Kayla Cottrell, is a proven performer with 14 wins and 12 placings from 45 starts, showcasing his consistency at the highest level. Though prone to mistakes, this three-year-old son of Fernando Bale has a powerful engine and closed strongly to secure second in his heat, clocking 36.54. With two wins and two placings from five starts in Box 2, Succeed is well-suited to this draw and looms as a genuine place-getter if he gets a clear run. While Canya All Class is the standout, Succeed’s late pace and determination make him a credible threat in the Sale Cup final if Canya All Class misses the start the $7.50 odds with PlayUp looks pretty sweet.
Can Black Silencer win the Sale Cup?
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3 Black Silencer
T: Kerrie WhiteF: 42272Career: 50: 21-14-4Prizemoney: $144,465
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Black Silencer, trained by Kerrie White, brings a wealth of experience and consistency to the Sale Cup final with 21 wins and 14 placings from 50 starts. Runner-up in his heat with a solid 36.47, he showed his ability to find the rail and finish strongly, a trait that makes him a genuine threat in this contest. Though winless in three starts from Box 3, his track sense and determination over the 640m distance, where he has a win and two placings from four starts. With a clear run, he has potential to cause an upset, however will likely be boxed out with Succeed inside and Zipping Kai on his outside.
Can Zipping Kai win the Sale Cup?
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4 Zipping Kai
T: Thomas DaillyF: 27322Career: 36: 8-6-6Prizemoney: $119,470
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Zipping Kai, trained by Thomas Dailly, has been a model of consistency, finishing second in both his runs at Sale over 640m. His best time of 36.33 demonstrates his ability to handle this trip, though he has yet to secure a victory at this track and distance. Runner-up to Canya All Class in his heat, Zipping Kai showcased strong mid-race pace to claim second, seven lengths behind the track record breaker. With a 56% place rate from 36 career starts, this well-bred runner has shown enough to suggest he must be respected, especially if he finds a gap. Will most likely be fighting it out for a place at the post.
Can Trooper Tears win the Sale Cup?
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5 Trooper Tears
T: Robert BrittonF: 84181Career: 43: 16-9-2Prizemoney: $327,737
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Trooper Tears, trained by Robert Britton, claimed a strong heat win with a 36.42 run at Sale, displaying his ability to capitalise on clean runs. The black dog has a solid career record of 16 wins and nine placings from 43 starts, but questions remain over his consistency, as highlighted by a few underwhelming performances in recent months. Despite finding all the breaks in his heat, he managed to hold off a late surge from Black Silencer to secure the victory.
While his win percentage of 37% is commendable, his tendency to mix form could make him vulnerable in this elite field. The 3-year-old son of Goodesy and Freaky Tears will need to replicate his heat effort to challenge, but against the depth of quality here, he might need a bit of luck to find the podium again.
Can Raya Star win the Sale Cup?
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6 Raya Star
T: Lisa HellmuthF: 22111Career: 39: 10-8-6Prizemoney: $55,390
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Raya Star, trained by Lisa Hellmuth, showcased her early pace and resilience in her heat win, clocking a commendable 36.42 seconds over the 640m journey. This marked her third victory at the Sale track and distance from five starts, underlining her aptitude for this circuit. The daughter of Aussie Infrared and Start A Riot benefited from a clean lead in her heat but will face a tougher test against this high-calibre field in the final.
With a career record of 10 wins, eight placings from 39 starts, and a track/distance record of 3-1-0, Raya Star brings consistency and experience. However, her reliance on leading unchallenged might be a limitation in this Group 1 Sale Cup final, where the pressure will be unrelenting.
Can Iron Atlas win the Sale Cup?
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7 Iron Atlas
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Iron Atlas, trained by Natalie Presutto, put in a strong effort in his heat, finishing second to Groovebird with a time of 36.58 seconds. The brindle dog showed early speed, leading the field through the first turn before being overtaken late in the race. While he gave every indication of a solid run, his reliance on early positioning could be a factor in this competitive Group 1 Sale Cup final.
With a career record of 11 wins and 12 placings from 40 starts, including one win and one second at the track and distance, Iron Atlas is no stranger to the Sale circuit. However, his box history (7: 0-0-5) indicates some challenges with wide draws, which he’ll need to overcome to feature prominently.
Rated as an outsider for the final, Iron Atlas is best suited for place claims, with a lot of the talent coming from the insdie boxes a third or fourth is very likely.
Can Groovebird win the Sale Cup?
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8 Groovebird
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 11171Career: 48: 14-4-7Prizemoney: $78,680
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Groovebird, trained by Jeffrey Britton, enters the Group 1 Sale Cup final following an impressive victory in her heat, clocking 36.51 seconds. The powerful black bitch showcased her closing speed, overcoming a mid-field position to surge past rivals and secure the win by 1.25 lengths. Her performance highlights her ability to finish strongly, a key asset in competitive fields.
With a career record of 14 wins and 11 placings from 48 starts, Groovebird has proven her consistency, particularly over middle distances. However, her preference for inside draws (most wins from Boxes 1 and 2) makes her wide Box 8 draw a challenge in this high-stakes race.
As a runner known for combining pace and power, Groovebird has the potential to overcome her draw but will need a clean run and minimal interference early. Rated as a $21 outsider with BlondeBet, it’s worth staying clear for this run
Can Ethanol Water win the Sale Cup?
| Reserves | |
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9 Ethanol Water
T: Thomas DaillyF: 21113Career: 56: 20-11-8Prizemoney: $228,560
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Ethanol Water, trained by Thomas Dailly, is a proven Group 1 winner and enters as the first reserve for the Group 1 Sale Cup final. With a career record of 20 wins and 39 placings from 56 starts, she boasts an impressive strike rate and adaptability across various distances.
In her most recent run, Ethanol Water encountered traffic issues but managed to finish third in her heat behind Groovebird, clocking 36.59 seconds. Prior to that, she showcased her class with a dominant 36.23 seconds victory at Sale, reaffirming her strength over the track and distance.
The red and brindle bitch’s ability to combine early speed with strong finishing bursts makes her a formidable contender if she secures a start in the final. Will still need a lot of work to beat Canya All Class over the 640m trip. If she can secure a start a Quinella between Canya All Class and Ethanol Water looks to be the bet of the day.
Can Drill Segeant win the Sale Cup?
| Reserves | |
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10 Drill Sergeant
T: Shane DrummondF: 32215Career: 15: 7-4-2Prizemoney: $24,905
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The 2023 Sale Cup winner Drill Sergeant, trained by Shane Drummond, is the second reserve for the Group 1 Sale Cup final. With an extensive career of 73 starts, the white and black dog has recorded 20 wins and 34 placings, highlighting his consistency and class.
Very unlikely to secure a start and recent form states to avoid.
The Sale Cup 2024 selections & top bets
The $1.65 on offer at Neds for Canya All Class to back up her track-record heat win with a second Group 1 triumph looks like the standout play. Breaking brilliantly in her heat and clocking an impressive 36.19 seconds, she has set the bar for this final and is the one to beat.
Succeed at $7.50 looms as the major threat from her inside draw. While not the fastest beginner, her strong finishing burst and consistency over this distance make her a serious contender.
The $6.50 at Picklebet for Zipping Kai provides value for punters who favour reliability and race experience. With two runner-up finishes over this track and trip, she knows how to navigate the Sale circuit and could take advantage of any mid-race scrimmages.
Meanwhile, Iron Atlas offers enticing odds at $3.40 for a place. While his wide draw in Box 7 is less than ideal, his on-speed ability and track experience could see him figure in the finish if the race opens up.
For exotics, Canya All Class and Succeed make an ideal quinella pairing, while including Zipping Kai and Iron Atlas in a trifecta or first-four bet is a sound strategy for those chasing value.
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1
CANYA ALL CLASS
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2
SUCCEED
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4
ZIPPING KAI
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7
IRON ATLAS
2024 Sale Cup Best Bet – Sale Race 8 – 26/12/24
The Sale Cup Best Bet
Race 8 – 
Canya All Class (1)
Form: 121131 | Career: 25 16-3-3 | Trainer: Jessica Hopkins