Australian Cup runner-by-runner greyhound tips & preview | 22/2
The 2025 Group 1 Australian Cup final is finally here, set to light up Race 10 at The Meadows on Saturday, February 22.
After three weeks of intense heats and semi-finals, we are left with a sensational field of eight — a lineup already being hailed as one of the best Australian Cup finals in years.
With every runner bringing a genuine winning case to this $300,000 feature, this is a wide-open betting contest at the best online bookmakers.
Here is our runner-by-runner greyhound betting tips for the 2025 Group 1 Australian Cup:
2025 Australian Cup greyhound preview
Can Zipping Hopkins win the Australian Cup?
 |
1 Zipping Hopkins
T: Brooke EnnisF: 13412Career: 40: 14-12-5Prizemoney: $101,615
|
Zipping Hopkins lands the ideal inside draw in Box 1, which could help him hold a handy position early before unleashing his powerful finishing burst. He lacks the early speed of some rivals, but his strength late is undeniable, having placed in 77% of his career starts. His semi-final second behind Vincent Bale showed his ability to grind home, and if he gets a clear passage on the rail, he can be a top-four contender.
Can Canya All Class win the Australian Cup?
 |
|
Canya All Class is a talented chaser with a strong finishing burst, but he may find himself in an awkward position early from Box 2. He was beaten narrowly in his semi-final by front-runner Excavation, and while he ran home strongly, the concern is whether he can avoid early interference in this stacked field. If he finds clear running down the back, he’ll be storming home late, but he’ll need things to go his way early to be a genuine winning threat.
Can Vincent Bale win the Australian Cup?
 |
3 Vincent Bale
T: Samantha GrenfellF: 11261Career: 45: 19-11-4Prizemoney: $228,708
|
Vincent Bale comes into the final off a dominant semi-final victory, showing blistering mid-race acceleration to put away Zipping Hopkins with ease. A multiple Group-race finalist, he boasts a sharp 29.41 personal best at The Meadows and has drawn well in Box 3, with little early speed directly inside him. The concern is whether he can hold his position early with faster beginners outside him, but he steps cleanly and finds the rail early, he will be a serious contender.
Can Mepunga Tully win the Australian Cup?
 |
4 Mepunga Tully
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 21711Career: 34: 14-4-3Prizemoney: $103,550
|
Mepunga Tully heads into the final in red-hot form, winning both her heat and semi-final in fast times while leading all the way. A natural front-runner, she has shown she can absorb pressure early and still finish strongly, making her an ideal contender in this stacked final. The Box 4 draw is a concern, as she will need to clear early traffic, but if she finds the front, she will take some catching. With a 29.58 personal best at The Meadows, she is rightfully the favourite.
Can Excavation win the Australian Cup?
 |
5 Excavation
|
Excavation is a proven Group 1 performer and one of the fastest early-split greyhounds in the race. He was brilliant leading all the way in his semi-final, clocking 29.90, and his 29.52 personal best at The Meadows makes him a serious winning chance. The Box 5 draw is tricky, as he will need to outpace Mepunga Tully and Vincent Bale early, but if he hits the front into the first turn, he will take plenty of running down.
Can Deadly Avenger win the Australian Cup?
 |
6 Deadly Avenger
T: George BorgF: 11812Career: 26: 10-5-3Prizemoney: $91,065
|
.jpg){kind=logo}
Deadly Avenger has serious ability and produced a blistering 29.84 win in his heat before running second in 29.97 last week. He races best when leading, but from Box 6 he will need to nail the start to cross the speed inside him. If he finds the front early, he could take some catching, but with early pressure expected from inside and out, he may find himself in a tough spot.
Can Flying Zulu win the Australian Cup?
 |
7 Flying Zulu
T: Jason ThompsonF: 21122Career: 45: 25-8-2Prizemoney: $877,290
|
Flying Zulu has been ultra-consistent at this level, running second in both his heat and semi-final, clocking 29.85 last start. He boasts a sizzling 29.55 personal best at the track and has been racing exclusively in top company, winning eight of his last 16 Group races. However, his wide draw is a concern, with just three wins from nine attempts outside Box 6. If he nails the start and gets across early, he’s a major player, but if caught wide, he could struggle to make an impact.
Can Tim Zoo win the Australian Cup?
 |
8 Tim Zoo
T: Jason ThompsonF: 11111Career: 46: 22-8-4Prizemoney: $610,660
|
Tim Zoo is chasing back-to-back Australian Cup titles and comes into this final off five consecutive wins, including a sensational come-from-behind semi-final victory in 29.91. His ability to win from any position is a huge asset, having led all the way from inside draws and stormed home from wide boxes in recent starts. The concern is whether he gets enough luck early, as he risks being posted wide against some of the strongest railers in the field. If he gets a clear run down the back, he’ll be charging late and is more than capable of defending his crown.
Can Smooth Plane win the Australian Cup?
| Reserves | |
 |
9 Smooth Plane
T: Thomas DaillyF: 12473Career: 66: 22-16-4Prizemoney: $515,180
|
Smooth Plane needs a scratching to gain a start, but he could be a real threat if he does. A Group 1 winner with exceptional early speed, he placed third in his semi-final behind Tim Zoo and Deadly Avenger in 29.99. He has been a consistent force over this distance, but his seventh-place finish in the heats suggests he will need to lift. If he secures a start and lands a good position early, he has the class to make an impact.
Can Amron Tiger win the Australian Cup?
| Reserves | |
 |
10 Amron Tiger
T: Brooke EnnisF: 24223Career: 52: 12-15-10Prizemoney: $114,215
|
Amron Tiger requires two scratchings to gain a start, but his form has been solid with three minor placings in his last three starts, including a third behind Mepunga Tully in 30.09. He has been consistent at this level, but his winning strike rate (23%) is a concern against this elite field. If he does get a run, he will need everything to go his way to be a genuine winning hope.
Australian Cup 2025 selections & best bets
Vincent Bale ($5) is a seasoned Group 1 performer with a scorching 29.41 personal best at The Meadows. He dominated his semi-final, putting 7.5 lengths on his rivals in 29.88, and now gets a perfect midfield draw in Box 3 to position himself early. If he finds the rails without trouble, his blistering mid-race pace makes him the one to beat at goods odds .
Mepunga Tully ($3.60) has been ultra-impressive in her last two starts, clocking 29.58 and 29.77 to lead all the way in both. She has brilliant early speed and will be looking to cross and lead from Box 4. If she does, she will take some serious catching, but early pressure from the middle boxes is the main concern. If she lands in front, expect her to give a massive sight.
Tim Zoo ($7.50) is flying, winning his last five straight, including the Group 1 Temlee (595m), proving his strength late. He’s found a way to win from any position and will storm home if given room. The key is navigating Box 8; if he avoids early interference, his unbelievable finishing burst makes him a serious winning chance at great each-way odds .
Excavation ($4.40) has elite early pace and showed that when leading all the way in 29.90 last start. His 29.52 best at The Meadows proves he is capable of running time, but the middle draw in Box 5 is tricky. If he jumps cleanly, he will give them something to chase, but if he is crossed early, he could find himself in trouble mid-race.
-
3
VINCENT BALE
-
4
MEPUNGA TULLY
-
8
TIM ZOO
-
5
EXCAVATION
2025 Australian Cup Best Bet – The Meadows Race 10 – 22/2/25
Australian Cup Best Bet
Race 10 – 
Vincent Bale (3)
Form: 11261 | Career: 45 19-11-4 | Trainer: Samantha Grenfell