Big Energy Storms To Melbourne Cup Favouritism

BIG Energy will be striving to become the first greyhound in two decades to secure the coveted Shootout-Melbourne Cup double when he takes his place in next Saturday's group 1 decider.

Not since 2003 when Bombastic Shiraz roared to Melbourne Cup glory has a greyhound claimed the feature race Sandown Park double, with Go Wild Teddy in 2000 the only other chaser to land the feat in the same season.

The great Aston Dee Bee won both races also, but not in the same year.

Following Big Energy's barnstorming Melbourne Cup heat victory on Saturday night, the Kel and Jackie Greenough-trained star looks perfectly poised to add his name to the record books, hitting peak form at precisely the right time.

Carving out a scintillating 4.97 early from his box two draw, Big Energy – fresh off his dazzling all-the-way Shootout success last week – gave nothing else a look in, scoring by seven lengths in a flying 28.91.

His remarkable 18.41 second split was just a length off Fernando Bale's record, indicating the son of Aussie Infrared is at the absolute top of his game.

The dashing performance was the third time he has lowered the magical 29 second barrier at Sandown Park, with only Aston Rupee bettering that mark with four.

Big Energy soaks up the attention after a BIG win – he's through to the @sportsbetcomau Melbourne Cup final!

His back split of 18.41, just a length off Fernando Bale's record ???? pic.twitter.com/8nyPU2XQF9

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) November 25, 2023

Bookmakers have installed Big Energy a $1.90 favourite for the $650,000-to-the-winner finale where he will exit box four which has left the door ajar for his opposition.

On the second line of betting at $3.70 is the Jason Thompson-trained Tim Zoo which turned in a thumping 29.07 heat success.

Surprisingly shunned in betting, the powerhouse chaser was sensational in his 10 length romp, but his chances were slightly tempered at the box draw, landing the seven trap.

In one of the real stories leading into the finale, grand chaser Idolize, which returned to racing earlier this year after becoming a mum, stormed into Melbourne Cup contention with a gritty heat win over Morton.

The Peter Presutto-trained star, with a heart as big as herself, made it win 26 from start 55 with her heat success, but she was another not to fare well at the box draw in six.

Drawing the rails for the final is the Lyn Smith-trained Buddy Monelli which landed his heat in 29.44, while heat two was annexed by Make No Promise which will exit box eight in the final in his bid to deliver trainer Paul Bartolo a second Melbourne Cup.

Aussie Rocks raced into the Melbourne Cup mix with a polished 29.40 heat display while the two blow-outs of the night were turned in by Fabs Vegetable (29.68) and Mac's Damage (29.60), both going around at big odds.