Explicit leads betting odds, Schillaci draws Box 1 in The Phoenix
Schillaci, the reigning champion of The Phoenix, has drawn box one for Saturday night’s fourth edition of the $1 million-to-the-winner race at The Meadows.
The favourable Box 1 draw offers trainer Jihad Talgi a prime opportunity to achieve back-to-back titles in the prestigious greyhound event.
Schillaci defied the odds last year, storming to victory from box five. This time, the inside draw significantly enhances his prospects.
2023 The Phoenix Race Replay – Schillaci (29.87)
“It’s a sense of timing with what Talgi’s done with the dog,” said Ryan Stanaway of Ladbrokes Racing Club, the slot holder for Schillaci.
“At the end of the day, that stands for nothing if the dog’s not in form.
He showed he’s in great form with the Melbourne Cup heat and the Melbourne Cup.
That first split, he was probably a whisker off clearing them and being off and gone, so he’s going in in the right form.”
The draw adds an air of redemption to Schillaci’s campaign after interference in the Melbourne Cup cost him a likely win.
Early bookmaker favourite Explicit, considered Schillaci’s chief rival, has drawn box eight.
Trainer Jason Thompson expressed satisfaction with the wide draw.
“I’ve always thought throughout his career that box eight is probably where I like to see him,” Thompson said.
“If he gets the start right, he’s going to get a clear run, and whoever wins the race has got to get the start right.”
Big Energy, trained by Kel and Jackie Greenough for Sportsbet, will jump from box two.
With an unbeaten record in three starts from this draw, Big Energy poses a formidable challenge in his second Phoenix attempt.
Smooth Plane, who clocked an impressive 29.41 during a trial at The Meadows last Saturday, has drawn box seven.
Australian Bloodstock, his connections, chose the wider draw to ensure a clear run.
Other key runners include Excavation in box three for Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock and Sunset Frazier in box four under Jeff Britton’s care.
Melbourne Storm’s representative, Lakeview Emily, will start from box six.
A late inclusion after replacing injured runner Rinsed The Lot, she stands as the sole female contender.
Queensland Flame winner Daysea’s Rory rounds out the field from box five, the same position Schillaci won from in 2023.
2024 The Phoenix Final Box Draw & Odds
After the box draw, Neds released the updated betting odds, with the odds set below:
2024 The Phoenix Final Box Draw & Field The Meadows 525m Group 1 $1,000,000 to-the-winner Saturday, December 21, 2024
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1 Schillaci
T: Jihad TalgiF: 61621Career: 40: 16-8-2Prizemoney: $1,194,460
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2 Big Energy
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3 Excavation
T: Jason ThompsonF: 32151Career: 31: 13-4-5Prizemoney: $375,025
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4 Sunset Frazier
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: F1153Career: 34: 16-9-5Prizemoney: $340,900
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5 Daysea’s Rory
T: Tom TzouvelisF: 11111Career: 38: 10-11-5Prizemoney: $141,128
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6 Lakeview Emily
T: Harley WhelanF: 11811Career: 39: 16-9-3Prizemoney: $340,800
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7 Smooth Plane
T: Thomas DaillyF: 14221Career: 60: 21-14-3Prizemoney: $275,635
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8 Explicit
T: Jason ThompsonF: 11418Career: 36: 26-4-1Prizemoney: $483,380
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