Form Preview For Group 1 Melbourne Cup Night

IT'S here – Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup night at Sandown Park.

Victoria's richest race has assembled an all-star cast of sprinting heavyweights all vying for Melbourne Cup supremacy.

FIELDS AND FORM FOR MELBOURNE CUP NIGHT AT SANDOWN

And while the Cup is of course the feature of the night, a huge support card has been put together, led by the other major group 1 of the night, the Bold Trease for the stayers featuring greyhound of the moment Houdini Boy.

So let's dig in and find some winners on what is a mammoth night of greyhound racing action out of Sandown Park, the first set to go at 6.27pm AESTD.

For those tuning in for the cup it's race six, due to get underway at 8.10pm AESTD.

RACE 1

Very competitive betting race to kick off the night. Could be a big night for Kel Greenough and tipping it gets off to a flyer with BETTER WATCH OUT (3). Has returned to outstanding form lately and looks boxed to get a good run with ASTON SILK (2), the other main chance for mine, ensuring he gets his chance early. ARIZONA EYES (6) was sensational when second to Tiggerlong Tonk in a cup heat last week, just concerned about the draw here in a quality race.

TIPS: 3,2,6,1

RACE 2

Maiden final with some very nice types chasing the $15k first prize. MEPUNGA REJECT (5) has been sensational winning his heat and semi but the move to box five tonight is a cause for concern, especially at the price. No doubting his ability though. With the benefit of the inside MAJOR SACRIFICE (1) looks hard to beat for Jason Thompson. Two runs have been good in the series but can go quicker. WESTAR MANSON (4) next best at the value, can figure as well.

TIPS: 1,5,4,7

RACE 3

Exciting brothers MCCOOLEY'S LAD (5) and BROTHER BEARING (3) match motors here while another smart up and comer SWEET PETIT (1) is right in betting also from box one off a fast 29.41 heat win. McCooley's Lad set the time-standard with a dashing 29.14 heat win and anywhere near a repeat of that he wins. You're getting evens and that's because he's drawn five. To my eye the price looks reasonable because with any clear room early he's just too good off what we've witnessed thus far.

TIPS: 5,1,3,4

RACE 4

Tricky race to assess given qualifying was conducted at the provincials. Expect the speed to come from the wings MEPUNGA KNIGHT (1) and PAPI GO FAST (8). It's no easy task to cross from box 8 at Sandown but if a dog can do it it's Papi Go Fast, winner at 12 of his 15 starts to date. Mepunga Knight was impressive at Geelong last week and gets the gun run while on sheer ability MEPUNGA MISSILE (5) is in the mix. He's getting out to silly odds so happy to roll the dice with him.

TIPS: 5,8,1,3

RACE 5

Tipping another HOUDINI BOY (6) magic show. Ultra-impressive heat winner and he just has a sense of timing ahead of tonight's assignment. Expect MANILA KNIGHT (8) to run a big race from the pink, stuck on great last week at his 715m debut and will be better for the run. SUNSET BOURBSKI (1) is crazy odds getting out to $9 – each-way bet to nothing. Terrific race where all eyes will be on Houdini Boy early.

TIPS: 6,8,1,2

RACE 6

What a race! Sensational field to contest the Melbourne Cup where the box draw has made it near impossible to go past SIMON TOLD HELEN (2). He's boxed to lead and from there his opposition will need to do something remarkable to beat him. HARD STYLE RICO (5) is a big show for mine – not badly drawn and if he can charge into second expect he can make things interesting. TOMMY SHELBY (6), SHIMA SHINE (7) and TIGGERLONG TONK (8) are all A-grade talent as we know but it will take career best performances to win from the draws they've been handed.

TIPS: 2,5,6,7

RACE 7

ZIPPING BRAM (3) represents good value at around $7. Steps back up to the middle distance which suits his racing style and with any luck through the first bend expecting him to wind up and get into the finish. WEBLEC ACE (1) has been dealt a huge favour drawing the red, placed 2 of 3 at the journey, but has broken the 34 seconds in one of those. CHRISTO BALE (2) is a group winner this track and distance and from box two gets his chance to return to the winners list. He's been placed his last five, two at G1 and level and another at G3.

TIPS: 3,1,2,4

RACE 8

Loved SHORT PORK'S (1) second to Tommy Shelby last week and on the back of that effort from box one I'm very bullish about his chances. Grows a leg at Sandown and can get the job done here. MUSIC EVENT (2) the main danger, paid the price for missing the kick last week but can bounce back to some form in this. Reckon FAITHY BALE (7) is monster odds despite being badly drawn. Don't let her go around at those odds without an interest – one for exotics at the very least. Quality race. Short Pork for mine.

TIPS: 1,7,2,6

RACE 9

Can't go past GET IT GIZMO (2) on the back of his near record last start win at The Meadows. Drawn to get a gun run and expect his Sandown 595m debut is a winning one. WALLBANGER (1) has been in great form in harder sprint races and the step back up to 595m from box one is ideal. WAGING WAR (3) represents good value at around $14, should get a nice trial through just off the speed and is one for exotics and the like.

TIPS: 2,1,3,5

RACE 10

KIPLING (5) should give backers a great sight out in front. Ran a terrific second last week when just being nabbed late. LOTS OF CHATTER (7) has drawn the car park but if he begins is capable of leading and running a race at odds. SOVEREIGN WIND (4) in the mix as well, plenty of talent just concerned him being drawn inside the speedy Kiping.

TIPS: 5,4,7,2

RACE 11

ASTON SAMURAI (1) is assembling a tidy record and he gets a big leg up with box one for his Sandown debut. In good hands and his impressive last start 30.01 Meadows win is a great pointer for this. DARK JEDI (6) has loads of talent and if his mind is firmly on the job can figure at good odds. GYPSY ZELDA'S (8) last two runs have been fantastic, concern tonight is the shift to box eight and whether she can cross a hot speed. Will need to.

TIPS: 1,6,8,5

RACE 12

Last of the night where UTAH GHOST (5) is a huge watch at his Victorian debut. Has a big motor and can run scorching time; watch betting moves. HOFFA (3) has run two tidy placings behind good types at his most recent Sandown runs and should be improved again. In a wide open betting race to close out the night MEPUNGA MILA (4) isn't badly placed either. In the money 4 of her 8 Sandown runs so deserves to break through at the track.

TIPS: 5,3,4,1