The Phoenix runner-by-runner greyhound tips | The Meadows, 21/12
The Phoenix, the richest greyhound race in the world, returns to The Meadows in race 10 on December 21, 2024. With a $1.65 million prize pool, including $1 million for the winner, this Group 1 event has revolutionised the sport with its innovative slot-holder format.
This year’s edition features an exceptional field of eight elite chasers, headlined by reigning Melbourne Cup champion Explicit, who commands favour with the top greyhound bookmakers at $3.20 after drawing Box 8.
The 525m contest showcases a mix of speed and stamina, with top contenders like Schillaci, the 2023 Phoenix winner in Box 1, and Big Energy, a proven Group performer from Box 2.
Here is the runner-by-runner betting preview of The 2024 Phoneix:
Can Schillaci win The Phoenix?
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1 Schillaci
T: Jihad TalgiF: 61621Career: 40: 16-8-2Prizemoney: $1,194,460
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Schillaci, trained by Jihad Talgi, is a proven Group 1 performer drawn perfectly in Box 1 for The Phoenix, boasting a 50% win rate from this draw. Despite a luckless sixth in the Melbourne Cup Final, his early speed, including a sizzling 4.98 first split in the heats, keeps him in contention. A winner of this race last year in 29.87, Schillaci thrives in high-pressure events and enters with $1.19 million in career earnings. With consistency, speed, and a strong placing record at The Meadows, he looms as a serious threat to reclaim his title, with shortest odds then usual currently at +360 with Picklebet.
- Schillaci leads all the way for pizza shop owner and trainer Jihad Talgi to win the 2023 The Phoenix for slot owners Ladbrokes on the final night of the Dream Chasers Festival on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
Can Big Energy win The Phoenix?
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2 Big Energy
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Big Energy, trained by Jacqueline Greenough, brings a mix of experience and raw speed to The Phoenix, boasting 19 wins from 46 starts and over $559,000 in prize money. The oldest dog in the field at four years old, he remains a force, recently breaking 29 seconds at Sandown for the fifth time in the Group 3 Shootout. Although he’s won only once from five starts at The Meadows, his perfect two-from-two record from Box 2 makes him a genuine contender. If he brings his best early pace, Big Energy can deliver a powerful performance.
Can Excavation win The Phoenix?
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3 Excavation
T: Jason ThompsonF: 32151Career: 31: 13-4-5Prizemoney: $375,025
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Excavation, trained by Jason Thompson, is a proven big-race performer and a track specialist at The Meadows, boasting five wins from seven starts, including a Group 1 Topgun victory in a slick 29.52. The two-year-old brindle dog by Fernando Bale out of Thriving has demonstrated his class, winning 13 of 31 starts and earning $377,025 in prize money. With 71% of his career starts resulting in a top-three finish, Excavation thrives under pressure and is well-suited to the demands of The Phoenix. Drawn in Box 3, where he has a win and a placing from two starts, this versatile chaser looks like a genuine contender at +500 odds with Neds.
Can Sunset Frazier win The Phoenix?
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4 Sunset Frazier
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: F1153Career: 34: 16-9-5Prizemoney: $340,900
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Sunset Frazier, trained by Jeffrey Britton, brings exceptional mid-race speed and versatility to The Phoenix, having excelled across multiple states and levels, including a Group 2 win in New South Wales. Despite failing to finish in his last start at Sandown, his brilliant Melbourne Cup heats showcased his record-breaking second split, underlining his explosive mid-race acceleration. With three wins and four placings from nine starts in Box 4, he has proven capable in this draw and looks set to make an impact on his Meadows debut. If he times his run right, Sunset Frazier could be a major player.
Can Daysea’s Rory win The Phoenix?
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5 Daysea’s Rory
T: Tom TzouvelisF: 11111Career: 38: 10-11-5Prizemoney: $141,128
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Queensland Flame winner Daysea’s Rory, trained by Tom Tzouvelis, enters The Phoenix as a longshot but brings undeniable form, riding a five-race winning streak, including victories in two consecutive Group 3 events. A recent 29.88 effort at Albion Park underscores his potential, but with no experience at The Meadows and a tricky draw in Box 5, he’ll need luck and a sharp start to as he got in the Queensland Flame to compete. While he’s yet to win from this draw, his momentum and ability to perform under pressure make him a rough chance.
Can Lakeview Emily win The Phoenix?
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6 Lakeview Emily
T: Harley WhelanF: 11811Career: 39: 16-9-3Prizemoney: $340,800
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Lakeview Emily, trained by Harley Whelan, is a standout contender with exceptional early speed, averaging a 5.02 first split during her four wins at The Meadows, including three in her last three starts. Fresh off a commanding 29.10 victory at Sandown, she has proven hard to beat when leading early. However, the tricky Box 6 draw is a concern, as she has yet to win from this position in two attempts. The sole female in the field, Lakeview Emily’s recent form and ability to dominate from the front make her a dangerous competitor if she lands on the arm.
Can Smooth Plane win The Phoenix?
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7 Smooth Plane
T: Thomas DaillyF: 14221Career: 60: 21-14-3Prizemoney: $275,635
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Cup Night Sprint winner Smooth Plane, trained by Thomas Dailly, is a seasoned competitor with an impeccable record from Box 7, boasting six wins from six starts in the black vest, including a Group 3 victory. A five-time Group 1 finalist, Smooth Plane combines consistency with strong late-race efforts, making him a formidable contender in this field. His recent Cup Night Sprint win at Sandown in 29.24 and a scorching 29.41 trial last Saturday suggest he is in peak form to maintain his unbeaten record from this draw. If he navigates the early stages cleanly, his proven class and finishing power will be hard to overlook with PlayUp offering +800.
Can Explicit win The Phoenix?
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8 Explicit
T: Jason ThompsonF: 11418Career: 36: 26-4-1Prizemoney: $483,380
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BlondeBet favourtie Explicit, trained by Jason Thompson, is the star of the field, boasting a stellar record with 26 wins from 36 starts and over $983,000 in prize money. As the reigning Melbourne Cup champion and a dual Group 1 winner, including The Temlee at this track and distance, Explicit’s unrivaled early speed (4.97 first split) and adaptability make him a formidable contender. His recent dominance at Sandown and The Meadows, coupled with an excellent record from Box 8, positions him as the greyhound to beat in The Phoenix. If he jumps cleanly, his elite class and consistency should be enough to add another Group 1 to his name.
The Phoenix selections & top bets
With The Phoenix shaping up as one of the toughest contests to predict, you can make a strong case for nearly every greyhound in the Final.
The race will likely come down to the first sectional and which chaser can handle the early pressure around the bend.
The $3.20 on offer with the top Australian betting apps for Explicit to secure another Group 1 victory is hard to resist.
Excavation at $6.00 is a serious threat from Box 3, while Smooth Plane’s unbeaten record from Box 7 makes the $9.00 odds enticing. Schillaci, from the prime inside draw and proven history of winnig this race also offers excellent value at $4.60.
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8
EXPLICIT
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3
EXCAVATION
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7
SMOOTH PLANE
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1
SCHILLACI
2024 The Phoenix Best Bet – The Meadows Race 10 – 21/12/24
The Phoenix Best Bet
Race 10 – 
Explicit (8)
Form: 11418 | Career: 36: 26-4-1 | Trainer: Jason Thompson