Winners and Losers From Cup Box Draw

TO win the much coveted Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup, a greyhound must first win its heat.

Ok, that's pretty obvious. But it is important to remember when trying to find the Cup winner before the heats are run.

It also highlights why the release of the Cup heats is so keenly anticipated. As is the case every year, there were some very pleased trainers, owners and punters when the heats were released this morning, and an equal number cursing their bad luck following their release on Tuesday.

Considering the greyhound's difference in price between the ‘pre-nominations' market and the opening ‘all-in' market price, here's a look at the big winners and losers from TAB Melbourne Cup heat box draw.

THE WINNERS

Whiskey Riot
$21 -> $9

The three time group 1 placegetter lead the Shootout for 514m of the 515m before being nabbed by the freakish Hooked On Scotch on the line. His early speed is a strength and his time in the Shootout – 29.22 – is two lengths faster than the average TAB Melbourne Cup winning time. Drawn box 2 in his heat, he's the $2.50 favourite to progress to next week's final.

Flynn
$21 -> $12

Remember when he ran 29.08 to win the Speed Star in May? Seems so long ago, but he showed last week he's still an extremely fast animal. Trainer Jason Thompson has said he'd have liked more time with him leading into the series, but he should get plenty of space from box 1 and when right is as fast as any going around.

Keeper Of Keys
$101 -> $71

Is in a hot heat that features the fastest greyhound in the country (Hooked On Scotch), but has the red box from which he's undefeated in three starts and enters the series in superlative from having won it last 4 on end. Opened $4.20 in his heat and has already eased to $5 as Hooked On Scotch continues to be well supported.

THE LOSERS

Feral Franky
$9 -> $12

While ‘The Feral' is certainly capable of winning from anywhere, box 5 is still box 5 and it's always a tough box to win from. He's $3.30 to win his heat as support has come for Jaro Bale (1) and Weblec Ace (7).

Good Odds Harada
$12 -> $21

The TAB Melbourne Dollar Chase winner has been dealt no favours drawing the outside in a hot, hot heat. He's $3.50 in his heat with Who Told Stevie the $2.60 favourite following his two brilliant Prelude wins.

Mepunga Maggie
$31 -> $71

Beaten four and a half lengths in the Shootout, Mepunga Maggie's Cup hopes suffered a blow by drawing horribly in box 6 in a heat against Whiskey Riot (2) and Simon Told Helen (7).

* The TAB Melbourne Cup heats will be run on Friday 22 November with the winner of each heat progressing to the $630,000 group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup – the world's greatest greyhound race – on Friday 29 November.