Melbourne Cup Box Draw Favours Hanify’s Impact & Thompson
Blessed with a ton of early pace, Hanify's Impact looks a moral to lead the 2008 Group 1 Melbourne Cup field to the first corner after drawing the coveted rails alley at Saturday's box draw. Starting from box 2 in last weeks heat, Hanify's Impact led easily registering a very quick 5.09 first sectional time. That time is almost a length and a half quicker than the next quickest first sectional time of the finalists, registered by Kendale Bale (5.18); and will be good enough to see Hanify's Impact lead clearly through the first corner.
Thompson who is currently racing under the cloud of El Galo's positive swab in the Group 1 Topgun, could be looking at holding down first and second at that point in the race after his second Melbourne Cup aspirant, Nitro Burst drew well in box three. With Made To Size drawn in inside him in box two, Nitro Burst should get some room to move as Made To Size ran the second slowest first section of the Melbourne Cup finalists from box 4 in last weeks heats.
Made To Size has been improving at each run at Sandown after running a slashing third in the Group 3 Sandown Shootout at his first look at the track. The Melbourne Cup final will be his third look at Sandown in as many weeks and his natural hard railing strong finish will be hard to hold out as he is very likely to get the ideal rail sit in behind leader Hanify's Impact, who will be weakening in the run to the line.
Not suprisingly Sportsbet has installed last weeks fastest heat winner Made To Size as $2.75 favourite, with Hanify's Impact second favourite at $3.75 and Nitro Burst at $4.20.
No.NameGradeFormBestLastTrainerSportsbet Market
1Hanify's Impact36111129.8929.89Jason Thompson$3.75
2Made To Size31123129.7029.70Reg Kay$2.75
3Nitro Burst31111129.9929.99Jason Thompson$4.20
4Teaman Titch27658129.7029.93Dave Burnett$41
5Kendale Bale32234129.7229.87Kylie Hunt$13
6Amity Bale33136129.9030.03Graeme Bate$51
7Velocette21451129.5429.70Graeme Bate$12
8Surgeon11611129.7930.09Darren McDonald$7
9Proven Polly221F2229.7729.94Jason ThompsonNot Quoted
10Wanalta Chief33241229.9529.99Jason ThompsonNot Quoted
Throughout this week Australian Racing Greyhound will preview each of the Melbourne Cup Finalists and publish vital facts, figures and the history of the Melbourne Cup to help you find this years winner.