El Galo A Short Favourite To Take The Australian Cup & The Record

Superstar sprinter El Galo is set to start one of the shortest priced favourites in history when he takes his place in box seven in next Saturday‟s nights $150,000 to the winner MTD Australian Cup final at the Meadows.

Fresh from two Group 1 wins in the and the Temlee at the Meadows on February 12th the star of Australian greyhound racing seems to have the race he was narrowly beaten in last year at his mercy. An almost clinical type performance in last week‟s heat were he returned the fastest time of the night 29.75 should see the champion start as short as $1.50 or shorter.

El Galo's impeccable box manners are his biggest asset he almost never misses the start and leads with devastating early speed to consistently clock five seconds dead to the first mark at the Meadows, but it doesn‟t stop there as his back section is always around the 17. 60 mark. It is quite simple way too difficult to match a greyhound that puts such a commanding and faultless effort almost every time he goes around.

There is no doubt El Galo is the dog to beat but the challenges will come from the other heat winners that made the rich final. Graeme Bate‟s 29.79, 30.01, Rowdy 29.94, Tasmanian Launceston Cup winner Big Moose 30.10, Arvo‟s Falcon 30.24, Proven Polly 30.13 and 30.15.

El Galo's current stake money earnings stand at an imposing $415,095, after he lost the 2008 Topgun to a positive swab to Buscopan. A win would see El Galo break Rapid Journey's all time prizemoney record of $530,995

All roads lead to the Meadows on Saturday night with a host of entertainment to be enjoyed on course and some red hot action on the track with the highlights the two Group 1 finals the MTD Australian Cup and the Australian Super Stayers Trophy.

Listed below are the fields in box draw order :

    GROUP ONE – MTD Australian Cup $150,000 to the winner
  • Box 1 – Arvo's Falcon 59 starts 14-12-7 ($52,090)
    Where's Pedro – Arvo's Belle
    Black Dog April '05
    Owners: Arvo's Syndicate Trainer: Kali Arvanitis
    Meadows best: 30.13 (1) (12 Starts 4-2-0)
    Used the inside alley to perfection in moderate 30.24 heat win, looks like he may be tested in his second group race appearance and would need everything to go right for him to figure in the finish. Place hope at best.
  • Box 2 – Big Moose 62 starts 38-9-5 ($150,165)
    Collide – Edan Rose
    Black Dog March'06

    Meadows best: 29.83 (3) (3 Starts 2-0-0)
    Tasmania's best chaser who recently took out the Group 2 Launceston Cup. Missed the start in his heat and was still too good for his rivals, will improve on last week's win and looks the main danger to likely leader El Galo if he can stick with him early. Drawn right where he wants to be.
  • Box 3 – Premier Moment 27 starts 10-3-0 ($29,765)
    Premier Fantasy – Ikari Babe

    Owner / Trainer: Mandy Dapiran
    Meadows best: 30.01 (2) (2 Starts 1-0-0)
    Cranbourne Cup finalist who did everything right in his very good heat win running down the early leader as they turned for home. The youngest dog in the field and this is by far his biggest test to date but wouldn't surprise to see him win.
  • Box 4 – Victory Time 41 starts 15-6-7 ($64,650)
    Primo Uno –
    Black Dog April '06
    Owners: Barbara Brown Trainer: Darren Brown
    Meadows best: 29.73 (3) (19 Starts 6-3-3)
    Very fast dog who had a little bit of luck on the first turn in his heat win, if he was to produce his PB of 29.73 would be a big chance in this. Will need an abundance of luck after drawing awkwardly in box 4 but not the roughest.
  • Box 5 – Velocette 39 starts 15-8-2 ($71,205)
    Bombastic Shiraz – Texan Lady
    Black Dog August '06
    Owners: Ron McCullagh Trainer: Graeme Bate
    Meadows best: 29.79 (1) (4 Starts 2-0-0)
    Multiple group race finalist who was very impressive in his heat win using box 1 to perfection and
    running away to win by 8.75 lengths in 29.79. Looks a huge chance but would have preferred from an inside draw.
  • Box 6 – Rowdy 45 starts 13-8-6 ($38,795)
    Carnage – Burra Lass
    Light Fawn Dog March '06
    Owner/ Trainer: Simon Lees
    Meadows best: 29.94 (3) (7 Starts 2-2-1)
    Impressive win when saluting at huge odds in heat, big ask and looks like he will be tested in his first group final but gave nothing else a chance with a sub 30 second victory last week. Has enough early pace to be in the firing line early but does look a little off the best dogs in Australia.
  • Box 7 – El Galo 58 starts 37-11-4 ($505,095)
    Where's Pedro – Roxy Reason
    Blue Dog November „05
    Owner: Seona Hood Trainer: Jason Thompson
    Meadows best: 29.75 (5) (9 Starts 6-3-0)
    Champion greyhound with an abundance of early pace, has won everything since only narrowly being beaten in the 2008 Australian Cup after leading for most of the journey. Is by far Australia's best sprinter and looks to have the race at his mercy after a faultless display in his heat.
  • Box 8 – Proven Polly 33 starts 14-4-4 ($53,470)
    Black Enforcer – Proven Tops
    Black Bitch April '06
    Owners: McGrath Syndicate Trainer: Jason Thompson
    Meadows best: 30.10 (5) (6 Starts 3-0-1)
    Classy bitch with loads of ability but not 100% focused on the job at hand. Received a 5 day stand down for injury and will have to pass a satifactory trial at The Meadows on Wednesday just to take her placing in the final.
  • 1st Res. – Naomi Cambaz 21 starts 9-4-1 ($14,840)
    Whisky Assassin – Bazwill
    Chased home El Galo in the best of the night last week. Only a youngster with 21 starts might run a drum if she gains a start.
  • 2nd Res. – Phoenix Shiraz 38 starts 16-9-4 ($60,665)
    Puzzle Prize – Crème Of Shiraz
    Made the final last year and second behind Premier Moment in his heat honest type who will start big odds if he gains a start.
    GROUP ONE – Australian Super Stayers $50,000 to the winner
  • Box 1 – Hughes Bale 41 starts 7-5-6 ($15,980)
    Elite State – Mirada Bale
    Blue Fawn Dog July '06
    Owner: Paul Wheeler Trainer: Andrea Dailly
    Meadows best: 42.91 (4) (1 Starts 1-0-0)
    Smart chaser who jumped up out of the ground late to win heat, surprised at odds but is unlikely to get under punter's guard again in the final. Has drawn perfectly and will be hitting the line hard in the later stages of the race.
  • Box 2 – Lilley Criminal (NSW) 50 starts 22-5-6 ($142,100)
    Hallucinate – Que Dee Tee
    Black Bitch October „05
    Owners: Bigger Than Life Australia Synd Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi
    Meadows best: 42.71 (2) (8 Starts 3-1-2)
    Sydney's best stayer who looked the winner in her heat when heading down the back straight but
    seemed to weaken on her run in the final 100 metres. Should improve on last run and likely to be fighting out the finish. Drawn perfectly.
  • Box 3 – Sirocco Hero 31 starts 8-9-5 ($29,625)
    Collision – Scarlett Spy
    Red Brindle Dog September '06

    Meadows best: 42.66 (8) (3 Starts 1-2-0)
    Is really starting to hit his straps after stepping up to the distance for the first time just 4 starts back, has some very impressive wins to his credit including one at this track beating a very good stayer in Vintage Octane. Looks a danger with the right run.
  • Box 4- Surf Rescue 71 starts 14-10-13 ($46,930)
    Surf Lorian – More Reward
    Blue Dog November „04
    Owner / Trainer: Kevin Mugavin
    Meadows best: 42.78 (4) (14 Starts 1-2-4)
    Game run when 3rd to qualify for final, seems to race best when sitting just off the pace and will need to step and do everything right if he is to test the favourites in this.
  • Box 5 – Qayyim Bale 49 starts 8-14-9 ($37,945)
    Elite State – Mirada Bale
    Brindle Dog July '06
    Owner: Paul Wheeler Trainer: Andrea Dailly
    Meadows best: 42.69 (1) (3 Starts 1-0-0)
    Very impressive winner at big odds when leading from box-rise and spacing his rivals to win by 7
    lengths in heat, form prior was solid without being outstanding but a repeat of last week's run would see him fighting out the finish.
  • Box 6- 69 starts 18-10-7 ($51,160)
    Typhoon Tide – Kerry Louise
    Black Dog October '04
    Owner: Robert Watts Trainer:
    Meadows best: 43.33 (7) (11 Starts 2-3-0)
    Consistent stayer who is always thereabouts, scraped into the final with a battling 4th behind Hughes Bale and will need some luck from awkward draw. Place hopes best.
  • Box 7 – Gunnadoo Magic 66 starts 26-16-3 ($239,305)
    Token Prince – Go Shoopa
    Blue Bitch February „05
    Owner: Ben Howe Trainer: Robert Britton
    Meadows best: 42.77 (8) (12 Starts 4-3-0)
    Victorian Greyhound of Year finalist who had no luck when only just qualifying for this final with a distant 4th to Qayyim Bale. Has the class and form to suggest she can figure in the finish if she has just a little luck in running. One of the main hopes.
  • Box 8 – Which Wabbit 27 starts 8-5-3 ($27,400)
    Bombastic Shiraz – Call Me Donna
    Black Dog May '06
    Owner: Hunting Syndicate Trainer: Robert Britton
    Meadows best: 43.00 (1) (2 Starts 1-2-0)
    Looked to have his heat sewn up in the straight but was grabbed right on the line, has mixed form of late but at his very best may test them in this final. Drawn ok out wide and is in the very good hands, big chance.
  • 1st Res. – Irinka Samuel 29 starts 9-3-5 ($22,905)
    Most Awesome – Irinka Tahnee
    Finished fifth behind Qayyim Bale last week hard to see him trouble this field if he gains a start.
  • 2nd Res. – Abbi Taylah 32 starts 11-3-7 ($30,700)
    – Lady Kero
    Finished fifth last week behind Hughes Bale a big ask in this company will be long odds if she gains a start.

The Meadows are throwing the gates open on Australian Cup night which means FREE ENTRY for everyone. Gates open at 6.00pm with the first race at 6.50pm



Melbourne‟s finest cover band “Ants Marching” will play the night away in the Jim Beam Party Tent hosted by the Jim Beam Girls who will have a heap of giveaways and time for a photo

Kids Activities
Camp Australia will take care of the kids on Australia Cup night with a host of activities including Sand Wizard Creations, Face Painting, Badge Making, Crazy Hair, Bead Designs, Colour in Craziness, Tug of War, Parachute Games, Soccer Shootout, Footy Handball, Cricket Skills, Totem Tennis plus Bouncing Castle and Giant Inflatable Slide. And don‟t forget to grab the Kids FREE Showbag

$5000 Big Bucks Giveaway
Be on course to win one of 4 x $1000 or 10 x $100 bets on the Australian Cup, simply grab your competition form on entry and place it in the barrel before race 5 and you could be walking home with pockets full of cash!!!!!!!!

$1000 Flight Centre Voucher Giveaway
The Meadows is giving you the chance to take your next getaway on them, simply fill in the competition form on entry and place it in the barrel before race 8 and you could be the lucky winner.

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[…] Proven Poly will exit box 8 next to the other Jason Thompson trained greyhound El Galo who is likely to start one of the shortest priced favourites since Rookie Rebel ($1.40) in 1…. […]

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[…] his points from just 3 runs in February, a Group 1 Temlee win at the The Meadows, followed by a Group 1 Australian Cup Semi Final win and his second to Velocette in the Final, both again at The Meadows. Fedex too scored all his […]