Former NSW Greyhound Overcomes Tardy Start To Give Thompson Two Finalists
Former New South Wales greyhound Outa Credit has overcome a more than moderate start to power over the top of tiring Allen Chang to give one time Victorian premier trainer Jason Thompson two finalists in next weeks rich $175,000 to the winner Melbourne Cup.
Returning to Jason Thompson for the Melbourne Cup Superdog Series after having unsuccessfully competed in the Group 2 Lismore Cup heats for former trainer Reg Kay, Outa Credit was only moderately away from box four in the early stages of heat seven of the Melbourne Cup.
The Dailly family trained Allen Chang had begun brilliantly from box three and quickly established a lead from the boxes, while the greyhounds in arrears jammed at the winning post the first time.
Despite having the benefit of room to move, Outa Credit had to overcome his moderate start and was being buffeted behind the leader, nearly falling back to second and third last before demanding the rails on the first corner, back in fourth and fifth place.
Aided by the rails, Outa Credit chased resolutely down the back straight to get within a few lengths of Allen Chang who was still getting it all his own way out in front going to the second section in 19.03.
But by the home corner it was obvious only Outa Credit or the unlucky Snozz were the only greyhounds with any hope of running down the leader and Outa Credit did not disappoint, running the trip right out to switch over Allen Chang's heels and go on to win by 1.75 lengths in 29.72.
Outa Credit was showing $61 in the Sportsbet pre post markets to win the Melbourne Cup final.
The win would give trainer Jason Thompson his second finalist after Aston Galilee later led all the way in the final Melbourne Cup heat, overcoming a tricky box five draw to win conclusively to giving nothing else a chance running 5.17, 18.99, 29.66.
Aston Galilee is appropriately owned by Ray Borda, the owner of Sandown Greyhounds Superdogs Series major sponsor Macro Meats, and has a connection with Thompson's other winner Outa Credit, being by Bombastic Shiraz our of Reg Kay's own dam Elite Oriental, litter sister to Knocka Norris and a 2008 Group 1 National Futurity winner in her own right.
Aston Galilee has now had just the seven career starts for six wins and will be the baby of the 2010 Melbourne Cup final, only due to turn two years of age next month in December.
The other two heat winners with the final boxdraw still to come and due very shortly, saw Messi lead all the way from box four running 515, 19.00, 29.62; and Dyna Obelia stage an upset for the Dailly family leading all the way from box four in 5.11, 18.99, 29.83.
Dyna Obelia was showing $151 on the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup market to win the final prior to the heats.