Greenough Caps Off Rapid Rise With Cup Start

BRAD Greenough will be striving to put an exclamation mark on a memorable first season of training when young gun Epitomize steps out in Saturday night's Group 1 Melbourne Cup (515m) at Sandown Park.

Just like his 26-year-old trainer, Epitomize has enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks, tackling the Melbourne Cup at just start nine after only making his debut at Healesville in early September.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

For Brad, the grandson of training legends Kel and Jackie Greenough, a Melbourne Cup title would cap off a remarkable first year of training which has included Epitomize's Group 3 Great Chase triumph and a winning feature treble on the lucrative Pink Diamond night.

"Had you told me six months ago that I'd be in a Melbourne Cup final I would have said you were crazy," Brad said.

"It's all been very surreal but the focus this week has been to put the work in and control what we can control.

"I've thought about how the race could be run 100 times but it really could go any number of ways. It is that open."

In a sense of irony, while young Brad will line-up a still wet behind the years youngster in Epitomize, grandparents Kel and Jackie will rug up the ageless Big Energy in the $650,000 showpiece.

Runner-up in the Melbourne Cup last year, Big Energy has returned to racing in blistering fashion in the past month, defending his Shootout title before roaring into the Cup decider last Saturday night.

"It makes the race even more special having them there as well," Brad said.

"I have my grandparents to thank for everything.

"They let me make the final calls with my dogs but are always there for advice which I obviously take.

"I sometimes say I should be writing down everything they impart but I'm not sure there'd be enough paper! I can't properly explain what they've done and how much they mean to me."

While Epitomize will exit a suitable box two draw in the $500,000-to-the-winner decider, it is a different story for Big Energy, which will exit box seven, continuing his agonising run with box draws in big finals.

But while the draw appears less than ideal, Brad isn't selling the rising four-year-old short.

"What Kel has managed to do with Big Energy in the past few months is testament to just how great of a trainer he is," Brad said.

"I doubt there'd be anyone else capable of doing what he's done. I'm lucky enough to have grown up around it and see it every day. He demands perfection and just doesn't miss a thing.

"The dogs are happy and you see that in the results."

Epitomize won through to the Melbourne Cup decider with a slick 29.27 heat success after carving out a sizzling 4.97s first section, identical to that of race favourite Explicit.

"Realistically, he needs to repeat that to be a chance," Brad said.

"One thing about this dog is that he's all business. Has been right from the start.

"I made the call to throw him in at the deep end and so far everything has gone to plan.

"But whether he wins, Big Energy wins or Steve's bitch (Miss Envy) wins I just hope one of them can get the job done.

"It's a team effort."