Bean Reveals Aussie's Cup Winning Secret

WHEN Rob Bean embarked on a breeding regime with modest performer Sunset Believer in late 2018 the idea of Melbourne Cup glory as a result was nothing more than a fantasy.

But on Friday night at Sandown Park the loftiest of pipe dreams is a chance of becoming a reality when Aussie Secret takes his place from box one in the $500,000-to-the-winner showpiece.

Trained by four-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer Jason Thompson, Aussie Secret qualified for the event dubbed "the world's greatest greyhound race" with a polished 29.57 heat display, the 31st victory of his 60 start career.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK FRIDAY NIGHT

"Jason is one of the best trainers in the business so you can't help but think you're in there with a good chance," Aussie Secret's owner-breeder Rob Bean said.

"And when Bobby (Aussie Secret) races you know he's going to give 100 percent and that won't be any different on Friday night.

Melbourne Cup Ht 6. 515m
Box 2 Aussie Secret – Jason Thompson. 29.566 pic.twitter.com/dGUudMEa9V

— John Brasch (@Bunny_Brasch) November 19, 2021

"You never knock back box one in a big race and who knows if he leads and there's a bit of trouble behind him he could be there at the finish.

"That's the plan anyway. He's a winner."

Aussie Secret is the flagbearer for an October '18 Bernardo and Sunset Believer litter which is so far responsible for 85 wins and over $350,000 in stake earnings.

Not bad going for an at the time unproven sire and dam.

"I did my homework with Bernardo and thankfully it's worked out like it has," Bean added.

"So much so that I returned to Bernardo for her second litter as well.

"When I started educating this litter early doors they showed they were something pretty special right from the start.

"Aussie Secret's brother Enabler broke in the quickest but has endured quite a few injuries. He actually won at Sale last Sunday night, it's a miracle he's even racing to be honest.

"But there was never a lot between most of them. They've all been fantastic for us."

Race sponsor TAB has Aussie Secret at $7.50 to win Friday night's Melbourne Cup behind star greyhounds Aston Rupee ($2.50) and Koblenz ($3.00).

And if successful it will hand Jason and Seona Thompson a fifth Melbourne Cup title after tasting success previously with Light Of Fire (1994), Got A Moment (2012), Black Magic Opal (2013) and Aston Dee Bee (2017).

"I still remember the day Jason came to Sale to watch some of the pups trial when they were around 16 months old," Bean reflected.

"A few went quicker but right from the start Bobby was the one he wanted.

"And here we are now in a Melbourne Cup final from box one."

With over 40 greyhounds to occupy his time at his Gippsland property, Bean is keeping things rather low-key in the lead up to Friday night.

Can Aussie Secret become the 19th greyhound to win the TAB Melbourne Cup from the inside draw? We'll find out this Friday night!? @sandowndogs @GRV_News pic.twitter.com/LrnBGzOOVS

— TAB (@tabcomau) November 23, 2021

"There's still plenty of work to do at home so being so busy doesn't give you much time to think,” Bean said.

"The dog has given us some great thrills so far but this would obviously be something else, very proud no matter what.

"We've got the best in the business looking after his preparation and he's come out of last week's heat great Jason says.

"So it's all up to him now. It should be a great night – I can't wait."