Preview: Paddy Wants Pats Begins Melbourne Cup Trail

CONNECTIONS will be aiming for more than a healthy winner's cheque when the first round of Melbourne Cup Preludes are run at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

While the winner of each of the three Preludes will earn $7300 for their efforts, the big prize is a guaranteed berth in the Melbourne Cup heats on Saturday 19 November and a chance to win their way into the $1m final of the race dubbed ‘the world's greatest greyhound race' the following week.

WHAT A RACE

McInerney gets Paddy Wants Pats on the line ???

29.28s the time – this boy is in some form ? pic.twitter.com/on8ddAHAKB

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) October 6, 2022

Thursday night's Preludes – the first of three series to be run fortnightly leading into the Cup heats – is high in quality and is highlighted by three greyhounds on the third line of betting in the Melbourne Cup pre-nominations market – Baby Jaycee, El Dorado and Paddy Wants Pats.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

While times are likely to be off due to the forecast rain, the racing promises to be hot and will invariably prove a strong form reference through spring.

Girl power

BABY JAYCEE displayed early speed and mid-race toughness to triumph once again.

Dual Group placegetter KELSEY BALE was no chance of being reeled in after a blazing start at @sandowndogs.

Box 7 punters would have been happy ?#GreyhoundRacing #PremierRacing pic.twitter.com/xvyEOQjQEv

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) October 7, 2022

Melbourne Cup Prelude 1 (race 5)

The first Prelude is the most open with six of the eight runners a single figure quote. Kysaiah ($3.20) is favourite from box 4 ahead of group 3 South Australian Derby winner Deadly Class ($4) in box 6.

Expect them to battle for the early lead with both possessing more early speed than Plan Ahead ($6.50) in box 5. Kysaiah has won both of his last two starts around two turns in best of night time and, while a little inconsistent at box rise, has proven hard to run down when he leads.

Deadly Class has won both of his starts at Sandown Park including a dazzling 29.16 victory last Sunday however the poor draw – combined with the steep rise in class – will mean he will need to do everything right to win.

Mepunga Warrior ($5.50) has been racing over more ground but will appreciate the inside draw – he's drawn box 1 just once in his last 31 starts over the last 12 months – and will be doing his best work late.

Amron Dan ($6.50) is an extremely fast pup but lacks early speed. This is his biggest test to date and can't afford to spot the leaders a margin.

Selections: 4-1-6-2

Suggested bet: Mepunga Warrior each way

Melbourne Cup Prelude 2 (race 6)

Baby Jaycee ($2.60) is one of the state's most exciting prospects with eight wins from 12 starts including her last start 29.37 win last week at Sandown Park in which she clocked a brilliant 5.01 to the first mark. If she can repeat that effort – and there's no reason to think she can't with the lack of speed around her – she should lead and prove very hard to beat.

Dynamic Prince ($2.80) posted two brilliant wins (29.18 and 29.26) this track and distance in August and his two recent wins at The Meadows suggest he's not far from that form however he is drawn awkwardly and is a chance to find real trouble at the first turn. Here Comes Pie ($6) can mix his form but was a good winner last week, will appreciate the draw (he's undefeated from box 2) and should get enough room early to settle in a forward position through the first turn.

Selections: 5-2-1-8

Suggested bet: Here Comes Pie each way

Prelude 3 (race 7)

Paddy Wants Pats ($2.40) led for all but the final stride last week, nabbed on the line by the reigning Million Dollar Chase winner McInerney. Drawn box 3 again, expect him to again find the lead but this time, hold on for victory.

El Dorado ($3.40) is smart and has an excellent record at the track but will struggle to cross from box 7 and therefore find it difficult to win. Francis Benali ($5) is four-from-four from box 1 and while he doesn't have the speed to go with them early, is a must for the exotics.

Selections: 3-1-7-5

Suggested bet: Paddy Wants Pats to win

The first race on Thursday night will jump at 6.58pm with the first Melbourne Cup Prelude, race 5, at 8.22pm.

Best: Paddy Wants Pats (race 8, box 3)

Next best: Flying Ocean (race 9, box 2)

Value: Warringah Bale (race 10, box 2)

Quaddie: 1246 / 125 / 3 / 13456 = 83% for $50

*TAB fixed odds quotes correct at 11pm, 12/10/22