2014 Group One Melbourne Cup Final Preview

The eagerly anticipated Group One Melbourne Cup is scheduled to jump at 9:24pm (VIC time) tonight at Park.

A whopping prize-money pool of $600,000 is available for place-getters. The winner receives $420,000, the runner up will receive $120,000 and third grabs hold of $60,000 – for a 29 second run.

The Melbourne Cup was first conducted at Sandown Park in 1956. The race has come a long way since. In this year's edition a number of story lines thread their way into the race.

If Keybow wins, he will break the Australian prize-money record and will make his trainer, Darren McDonald the first trainer to win four Melbourne Cups. If Above All wins he will become just the second greyhound from New Zealand to take out the great event. That feat was last achieved 40 years ago.

Recent winners of the Melbourne Cup include Black Magic Opal, Got A Moment, Dyna Tron, El Grand Senor, Lord Ducal, Surgeon, Betty's Angel and Closing Argument.

We will soon know who the 2014 winner is. Here is a look at the form of each of the finalists;

Box 1
Race Odds
$3.10
Heat Replay
 
Keybow
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
Kelvin Lean
Prizemoney
$343,635
Last 10 Starts
2414153611
35 Months   Black   Dog   by   Take The Kitty Key Exit
Start Risky Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $9,818 Rating 95
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
35 16 7 3
Rates
Win % Place %
46% 74%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
8 3 1 2
       
Box 1 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 1 1 0
Kelvin Lean (Owner): “It is a good draw, it's unbelievable. I think in these big races you have got to be on the inside and there is so much speed in this race that the inside is definitely the place to be.”

Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.36 29.36 5.05 5.11
Box 2
Race Odds
$4.80
Heat Replay
 
Chica Destacada
Trainer
Doreen Drynan
Owner
Dee and Pee Syndicate
Prizemoney
$145,655
Last 10 Starts
6311156821
29 Months   Black   Bitch   by   Cosmic Rumble Eluthra
Start Good Running Middle Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $4,699 Rating 91
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
31 12 5 3
       
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
39% 65%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 1 1 0
       
Box 2 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
3 1 1 0
Doreen Drynan (Trainer): “It is the same box that she won the from but she seems to go better when she is drawn out on the track a little bit. She seems to be able to pace up a lot quicker because she is inclined to step a bit to the right when she comes out of the boxes.”
Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.22 29.22 5.02 5.02
Box 3
Race Odds
$5.50
Heat Replay
 
Above All
Trainer
Robert Britton
Owner
Alison Lee
Prizemoney
$29,510
Last 10 Starts
1F14212111
27 Months   Black   Dog   by   Kara Janx
Start Risky Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $2,951 Rating 94
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
10 6 2 0
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
60% 80%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
6 3 2 0
Box 3 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
1 1 0 0
Robert Britton (Trainer): “He doesn't have the early pace that others have in this field. What he has shown me is that he is fearless in taking gaps, so hopefully he can get a soft early run into the first turn and take any gap that may be presented to him.”
Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.33 29.38 5.11 5.11
Box 4
Race Odds
$8.50
Heat Replay
 
Awesome Project
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
Bradley Canty
Prizemoney
$297,690
Last 10 Starts
1711163131

43 Months

  Black   Dog   by   Collision Honour Phase
Start Risky Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $5,412 Rating 94
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
55 28 7 8
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
51% 78%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
13 8 3 2
Box 4 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
9 5 0 0
Bradley Canty (Owner): The draw is not good for him with the six, seven and eight all going to be crashing across from out wide with pace. He has speared the lids and come out running a couple of times like when he won the Harrison- Dawson and in a heat of the Brisbane Cup he came up two in front, but I think whatever dog leads that race will probably win.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.35 29.39 5.00 5.12
Box 5
Race Odds
$34.00
Heat Replay
 
Cosmic Wise
Trainer
Jeff Britton
Owner
Brona Lane Racing Syndicate
Prizemoney
$110,645
Last 10 Starts
4131115311
38 Months   Black   Bitch   by   Wise Penny
Start Good Running Rail Finish

Strong

Prizemoney Rating $1,875 Rating 91
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
34% 64%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
19 6 2 1
Box 5 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
7 2 0 0

Justin Wright (Owner): “Box one helped her last week and I would imagine the track was a bit quicker than it normally is but we were still chuffed with how she went. It will be very different this week and I don't think she has the pace to beat the other seven to the first corner. There is going to be a lot of early speed and she is a mad railer, she will look for the rails straight out of the boxes. I reckon her only hope is if she misses it a little bit and then goes straight to rail and if there is a little bit of trouble on the corner that she can rail up underneath. It is going to be tough but you have got to be in it to win it. She will give 100% and whatever happens, happens.”

Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.40 29.40 5.07 5.07
Box 6
Race Odds
$9.00
Heat Replay
 
Star Recall
Trainer
Jeffrey Britton
Owner
Kevin Dover
Prizemoney
$158,305
Last 10 Starts
1221111881
30 Months   Black   Bitch   by   No Recall
Start Good Running Middle Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $4,166 Rating 95
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
38 21 7 4
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
55% 84%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
2 1 0 0
Box 6 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
7 4 2 1
Kevin Dover (Owner): “Hopefully she can ping the lids and get up with them near the lead going into the first turn. She is not a mad railer, she holds her line to the first turn, so that should help her too.”
Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.34 29.34 5.05 5.05
Box 7
Race Odds
$16.00
Heat Replay
 
Luca Neveelk
Trainer
Gerald Kleeven
Owner
Paul Kleeven
Prizemoney
$128,865
Last 10 Starts
1113111131
29 Months   Blue   Dog   by   Talk's Cheap It's A Neveelk
Start Excellent Running Rail Finish Good
Prizemoney Rating $4,772 Rating 97
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
27 22 0 3
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
81% 93%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
1 1 0 0
Box 7 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
4 3 0 0

Gerald Kleeven (Trainer): “I reckon he can get across and I like him out there. It depends on what the pink (Dyna Villa) does but he (Luca Neveelk) is a pretty big dog so the pink shouldn't push him out of the way. He just needs clear room in the first one or two strides and then he has got that massive early pace. Whatever gets out in front will win, there is no two ways about it, because you have got seven other dogs with equal ability behind you and they usually all look to go to the rails and they will be in a bunch. If you are lucky enough to get to the front I'd imagine you would be laughing.”

Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.42 29.42 5.00 5.00
Box 8
Race Odds
$6.50
Heat Replay
 
Dyna Villa
Trainer
Jenny Hunt
Owner
Brendan Wheeler
Prizemoney
$46,635
Last 10 Starts
4333181311
25 Months   Black   Dog   by   Collision Roxio Bale
Start Good Running Middle Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $2,220 Rating 92
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
21 13 2 4
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
62% 86%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
7 7 0 0
Box 8 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
3 3 0 0
ARG Comment: Dyna Villa is unbeaten at the track and unbeaten from the box. He showed tremendous pace last week from box six to defeat My Bro Fabio by 1 1/4 lengths. He recorded his best time in the process. A repeat of the pace from last week will see him contesting the lead in the early stages. He has to be considered a big chance based on his form.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.21 29.21 5.00 5.00
1st Res
Race Odds
$26.00
Heart Replay
 
Cawbourne Whip
Trainer
Anthony Azzopardi
Owner
Jodie Lord
Prizemoney
$83,305
Last 10 Starts
1124634432
34 Months   Black & White   Bitch   by   Dyna Lachlan
Start Moderate Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $2,136 Rating 88
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
39 16 5 4
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
41% 64%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
3 0 1 2
Box 7 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
5 0 1 1
ARG Comment: Does not have the pace to match some of the speedsters in the final and will be well and truly at double figure odds if she gains a start.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
NBT 29.29

5.10

5.10
2nd Res
Race Odds
$4.60
Heat Replay
 
My Bro Fabio
Trainer
Owner
Michelle Jones
Prizemoney
$202,075
Last 10 Starts
2111151112
31 Months   Black   Dog   by   Flamenco
Start Risky Running Rail Finish Strong
Prizemoney Rating $4,811 Rating 100
Career Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
42 21 9 3
Strike Rates
Win % Place %
50% 79%
Track & Dist.
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
13 5 2 3
Box 5 Record
Starts 1st 2nd 3rd
7 2 3 0
ARG Comment: Will rocket right into contention if he gets a start. Although he is tardy at box-rise at times, he is a freakishly fast dog that is capable of anything.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best Last Sect. Best Sect. Last
29.09 29.29 5.15 5.24

Keybow (1) is currently the favourite from the prized rails alley. He just needs an ounce of luck early to stamp his authority on the race but there will be plenty of others in the field looking to challenge him.

Dyna Villa (8) is boxed out wide and possesses the best record of any dog in the race as he is unbeaten at the track and unbeaten from the draw. He is the fastest qualifier going into the final after stopping the clock at 29.21 in last week's heats. His sections across the board were great and he will prove hard to beat if he repeats last week's efforts.

Luca Neveelk (7) will be challenging for the lead early. He needs to be in front at the first turn to be any chance.

Awesome Project (4) has a mile of ability and seems to be flying under the radar a little due to the focus on his kennel mate. He came out last week to lead all the way and he is more than capable of doing that from box four.

Chica Destacada (2) was impressive last week and she is drawn to go well again. Her trainer has indicated that she may step right out of the boxes but she has the form from the box, winning the National Sprint earlier this year from the same draw.

The Kiwi's will all be cheering for Above All (3). While he will need some luck in the early stages, he has made the final and certainly has a big future ahead of him as he has come into the race with just 10 starts under his belt.

Cosmic Wise (5) and Star Recall (6) both have Western Australian connections and will be aiming to give the West something to cheer for. The draws are not great for either chaser but, as with all the other chasers in this final, they are in with a chance.

It should be a great race so be sure to tune in or get trackside.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments