Big Energy "On Track" For Australian Cup Carnival

KEL Greenough is optimistic ‘reenergised' Melbourne Cup runner-up Big Energy is "on track" to get the Group 1 monkey off his back during the fast-approaching Australian Cup Carnival.

Big Energy hasn't raced since finishing fifth in The Phoenix at The Meadows on December 16.

But a return to action is imminent, with the freakishly talented son of Aussie Infrared certain to be one of the first sprinters selected for the Group 1 Temlee (525m) on Saturday week (February 10).

The Temlee and Zoom Top (730m) invitationals will headline the opening night of the revamped three-week Australian Cup Carnival.

Big Energy is $3.50 favourite in ‘Pre Noms' betting on the Temlee, while he also sits atop the Australian Cup market at $7.

"He's on track for the Temlee, if he gets an invite, and then the Australian Cup," Kel Greenough said on Monday afternoon.

"After that, there's a possibility he'll go back over to Perth for The Sandgroper.

"I gave him a break after The Phoenix. He'd had some hard racing and I just thought he needed a freshen up and then go again.

"He went close a couple of times; seconds in the Melbourne Cup, Adelaide Cup and Cranbourne Cup.

"He won the Shootout, but that's a different kettle of fish, and it would be nice to see him win a big race.

"His trials have been good, what you'd expect. 

"He'll probably have another hit-out later this week and then we're on holidays, so it will be up to my grandson and daughter!" he added with a chuckle.

With Big Energy ticking all the boxes ahead of his much anticipated return to racing, Greenough admits to mixed emotions watching retired champion Wow She's Fast itching to join him.

"She's just tearing all around the place, running around the yard and digging holes," he said.

"She doesn't understand why she's not going racing.

"It's a bit sad, to be honest. I would've thought she had another one (feature race) in her, but that was the decision we made."