Preview: Group 1 Melbourne Cup Night

IT'S Victorian greyhound racing's showcase event, but the Melbourne Cup is not the only highlight of an action packed card.

The 69th running of the Melbourne Cup shapes as a classic, featuring a wide open field boasting exciting youngsters, brilliant veterans and a dazzling level of early speed.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

And while the Cup righty grabs the headlines, a compelling undercard will keep the fans – and punters – enthralled. 

The Group 1 Bold Trease (715m), Group 3 Cup Night Sprint (515m), Group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial (595m), Listed Cup Night Stayers (715m) all carry black type, with prize money across the 12 race card worth over $1m.

But who wins the cash? 

Best: Excavation (race 7, box 2)

Ran the third fastest time (29.06) on Melbourne Cup heat night but unfortunately for connections, found one better. Ran a 5.03 first split from box 8 in the heat which wasn't enough to cross, but should have no such trouble from box 2 here. Mepunga Tully was brilliant when running 29.06 her two starts back, but even if she were to find the front, expect Excavation to be pouring on the pressure late and land the prize in good time.

Next Best: Giacomo (race 4, box 1)

Won both starts at Sandown Park in 29.63, jumping from box 2 on both occasions. May not be the fastest in the race but is drawn to lead and is strong enough at the end to hold off the challengers.

Value: Succeed (race 5, box 1)

Has an excellent record this trip/distance (8:4-3-0) with a best of 33.80 which will be enough to win this. Hasn't won since May but has been racing in top grade and made the recent group 1 Hume Cup over 600m at The Meadows. Meets a couple of stars in boxes 2 and 6 but from the draw should be in the mix at a nice price.

The longshot: Star Opal (race 3, box 2)

Bombed the start, raced greenly, found trouble but still chased hard to run third in her heat before stepping better in her semi final to all but hold out Extreme Wheels in her semi final. Drawn better again here in a race bereft of early speed, she can hold a place early and fill a hole at a big price.

Place parlay:

Race 1: Nova Owen (2)

Race 3: Star Opal (2)

Race 10: Joey The Jet (1)

Approx price: $12.50

The big one: The Melbourne Cup

In what shapes as a classic edition of the Melbourne Cup, the dash to the first turn will be frantic with the first there a good chance to take the cheque. Sunset Frazier (4) was stunning in his heat last week running a mid-section that was simply mind blowing on his way to breaking Fernando Bale's second split record. His task will be a little more difficult from box 4 but if he nails the start they won't catch him. The same can be said for a number of runners, and with that much speed there is potential for early trouble which often favours those able to hold the rail which brings brilliant youngster Joey The Jet (1) into calculations. He has broken 5.10 both Sandown Park starts and is undefeated both times out of the red. That should give him track position even if Epitomize (2) repeats his 4.97 from the heats. Wider out, Miss Envy (5) and the brilliant Explicit (6) could get a cart across with Sunset Frazier, the question being whether that will be enough to cross those beneath. What a race it promises to be!

Tips: 1-2-4-5

The other big one: Bold Trease

The Bold Trease for the stayers is the other group 1 on the card, and while it lacks the class of the Cup, it too should be an intriguing race. Just three quarters of a length separated Canya All Class (2) and Black Silencer (1) in their heat, with the former prevailing in 41.55 and a repeat performance would see the race record fall. They swap boxes for the final and that could be crucial, with Canya All Class the likely early leader and Black Silencer powering home. Canya All Class is a star, but Black Silencer should get a saloon run through and finish over the top. Canya Amy (4) can run a drum at a price.

Tips: 1-2-4-3