Geoff Mitchell’s Aussie Rocks causes upset in G1 Melbourne Cup
Aussie Rocks has stunned a stellar Melbourne Cup field to salute in the $1,008,000 Group 1 at Sandown Park on Saturday night.
The Geoff Mitchell-trained two-year-old was paying $18 to win with Neds.com.au, but proved too strong for race favourite Big Energy ($1.80) and Mac’s Damage ($23).
Aussie Rocks, having previously finished second in the Australian National Sprint Championships and running the final of the Silver Bullet, had qualified third fastest for the Melbourne Cup final, behind Tim Zoo and Big Energy.
For veteran trainer Mitchell, 68, it was the new benchmark in his 45-year career in the sport.
“Unbelievable… What’s happened now, you tell me.
“I can’t believe it. He’s the best dog I’ve ever trained. I’ve trained dogs for 45 years.”
Aussie Rocks, owned and bred by popular greyhound identity Ray Brittain, took his record to 16 wins and 11 placings from 37 starts.
“He’ll be crying up there (in the Henry Harrison Grandstand),” Mitchell said.
“This is what you get up and train dogs for.
“It’s just one of those things, it’s hard to explain.”
Aussie Rocks against-the-odds win was also a sensational result for Aussie Infrared, who sired the quinella in the Melbourne Cup.
The victory was the longest-priced winner in 20 years and takes Aussie Rocks’ career earnings to $767,935.
Idolize, who remarkably ran in the Melbourne Cup after whelping a litter of pups earlier in the year, jumped the best and made the early running.
With a bit of chaos in the pack, Mac’s Damage and Aussie Rocks fell in behind the leader, while Big Energy began to get into rhythm after early trouble.
At the home turn, Idolize, Mac’s Damage, Big Energy, Aussie Rocks and Make No Promise were all in contention, but it was Aussie Rocks, along the fence that produced the finish.
2023 Group 1 Melbourne Cup Replay – Aussie Rocks (29.55) T: Geoff Mitchell
“He deserves a big race,” Mitchell said.
“Just so honest and gives his all week in week out.
“I really thought last week’s heat win was the confidence booster he needed here at Sandown because his best efforts haven’t been here after falling here as a pup.”
2023 Group 1 Melbourne Cup
2023 Melbourne Cup Results Sandown 515m Group 1 $650,000 to-the-winner Saturday, December 2, 2023 29.55
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| 1st |
5 Aussie Rocks
T: Geoff Mitchell 29.55 – $650,000 +1540
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| 2nd |
4 Big Energy
T: Jackie Greenough 29.58 0.43 lengths $200,000 -111.11
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| 3rd |
3 Mac’s Damage
T: Harley Whelan 29.62 0.99 lengths $100,000 +1830
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| 4th |
6 Idolize
T: Peter Presutto 29.63 1.17 lengths $50,000 +1460
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| 5th |
8 Make No Promise
T: Paul Bartolo 29.71 2.23 lengths $2,000 +1640
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6th |
7 Tim Zoo
T: Jason Thompson 29.89 4.83 lengths $2,000 +440
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| 7th |
2 Fab’s Vegetable
T: Tom Dailly 29.95 5.69 lengths $2,000 +1120
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| 8th |
1 Buddy Monelli
T: Lyn Smith Fell Fell $2,000 +540
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