2015 Group 1 Melbourne Cup & Bold Trease free tips & best odds

THE biggest night on the Australasian Greyhound Racing Calendar is here with the running of the $600,000 Group 1 Melbourne Cup (515 metres) and the $145,000 Group 1 (715 metres) at Sandown Park this Friday.

All eyes will be on champion sprinter Fernando Bale in the Cup, with the white and dark brindle powerhouse expected to retire to stud after the event. The son of Kelsos Fusileer and Chloe Allen has won nine Group 1s, two Group 2s and one Group 3 throughout his phenomenal career. A win in Friday's event would take his prize money earnings to an unprecedented $1,581,110.

Fernando Bale will jump from box six in the Melbourne Cup, with the best price on offer being $1.55 with Sportsbet.

The biggest threat to Fernando looks to be his kennel mate, Dyna Double One (box two), which ran a blistering 29.05 when claiming his heat last week. The son of Barcia Bale and Crystin Bale is capable of just about anything on his night, with his $5 quote with Crownbet looking enormous value.

The stayers will also get the chance to shine, with an even field assembling in pursuit of the $100,000 winner's cheque. With the retirement of superstar half-miler Sweet It Is prior to last week's heats, it is now time for a new chaser to be crowned Australia's top stayer, and there are about six greyhounds that are a realistic chance of breaking through and earning the title.

The fav for the event is Andrea Dailly's Bourbski Fever which is $3.25 with Bet365 in a very open event. The daughter of Buck Fever and Midnight Movie had no luck in her heat last week, recording a fast-finishing second behind Ryno's Raider ($15).

Also in contention are Luna Jinx ($3.80), Come On Fantasy ($6), Lithgow Panther ($9) and Kilkee Flex ($21).

To help you find the winners of the main features on the card, Australian Racing Greyhound has extensively previewed both the Melbourne Cup and the Bold Trease, with tips and comments from our resident form analyst, Brad Bugeja.

Group 1 Bold Trease (715 metres) – 8:28pm AEDT

Box One – Lithgow Panther
Black Dog – 32.9kg – November 2012
Mildean Panther x Mrs Trickett
Prize money: $97,366
Trainer: Rob Britton
Career: 51: 12-12-6
From box: 5: 3-0-1
T/D: 3: 0-1-0
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: 2ND 2015 Group 3 Topcat Video Cup, 2ND 2015 Group 3 Sydney Cup, 3RD 2015 Group 2 Topgun Stayers, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Richmond Derby

“Lithgow Panther can be a little hard to follow but from the red draw I think he gets his chance to make a big impact. His box manners sometimes let him down but I think he will step a little better tonight and he should lead or at worst sit just behind Kilkee Flex in the initial stages. His mid race pace is off the charts and he should have a nice lead mid race, the only concern will be the last 40m as he does get a stitch in the closing stages.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $9 with Sportsbet

Box Two – Come On Fantasy
Black Bitch – 28.6kg – November 2012
x Come On Luann
Prize money: $89,675
Trainer: Joe Borg
Career: 47: 10-11-9
From box: 6: 4-2-0
T/D: 5: 2-1-1
T/D Best: 41.95
Career Highlights: 2ND 2015 Group 3 Big Dog Cup, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Hume Cup

“Continues to get better with every start and last time out she looked super impressive when posting a dazzling 41.95 heat win. She is armed with solid early speed and if she does everything right at box rise she should balance up in the top four early. She showed her strength in last week's win, so if she is close to them at the half way mark she will make her presence felt. There has already been some solid support for her in the betting and I think she is a great chance of winning.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $6 with Crownbet

Box Three – Bourbski Fever
Black Bitch – 27.8kg – October 2013
Buck Fever x Midnight Movie
Prize money: $30.086
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 22: 6-3-2
From box: 4: 0-1-2
T/D: 5: 2-2-0
T/D Best: 41.95
Career Highlights: WON Cranbourne 42.09, Sandown Park 41.95, The Meadows 42.41

“Improving stayer and she has turned in some great performances in recent weeks, however this is another step up for her and she is going to be giving some good chasers a big head start. Her lack of early speed is a big concern and I think she is going to get strung up in traffic at the mid way point. With the right breaks in running she can definitely win but she does appear to be well under the odds.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $3.25 with Bet365

Box Four – Kraken Flash
Black Bitch – 29.4kg – April 2013
x Strawberry Field
Prize money: $36,570
Trainer: Kevin Eyles
Career: 31: 10-1-5
From box: 4: 1-1-1
T/D: 3: 0-1-1
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 34.11, Traralgon 39.27

“This chaser is my smokey for the final, last week she turned in a great effort when placed behind the classy Luna Jinx and she appears to be getting better with every try over this journey. She can do a lot of things wrong in her races but she does have the ability to begin well and she is blessed with amazing speed once she gets out into the open. She is currently at double figure odds and with some luck in running she has the talent to take this out.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $15 with William Hill

Box Five – Ryno's Raider
Black Dog – 31.7kg – April 2013
Collision x Others Quoted
Prize money: $44,120
Trainer: Thomas O'Donovan
Career: 33: 8-6-6
From box: 1: 1-0-0
T/D: 7: 2-1-2
T/D Best: 41.89
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 34.27, 41.90

“Has a great record here and has been racing in very solid form, however from the middle pin he is likely to get crowded early and spat out the back. Last week he was able to settle in the top two and with a clear passage he was able to take control mid race and score a convincing win, if he can do that again he has a great winning chance but I can't see it happening from this draw.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $15 with Bet365

Box Six – Kilkee Flex
Brindle Bitch – 28.1kg – February 2013
Kinloch Brae x Mamie Bale
Prize money: $58,995
Trainer: Peter Dapiran
Career: 41: 12-7-6
From box: 4: 1-0-1
T/D: 6: 1-2-1
T/D Best: 42.12
Career Highlights: 3RD 2015 Group 1 Hume Cup

“Likely leader and she should give a great sight on the lure. Last week she was able to ping the lids and lead all the way in a solid 42.12 and I'm expecting her to produce something similar tonight. The only problem with her is that she is likely to cop pressure a lot earlier in the race this week and therefore she is likely to fold up a little quicker. Will give a nice sight early but I can't see her holding out some of her stronger rivals.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $21 with Sportsbet

Box Seven – Luna Jinx
Blue Bitch – 26.2kg – May 2012
Velocette x Hannah's Jinx
Prize money: $187,545
Trainer: Gavin Harris
Career: 55: 19-12-6
From box: 6: 2-0-1
T/D: 12: 4-1-0
T/D Best: 41.34
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Superstayers, FINALIST 2015 Group 3 Lizrene, 2015 Group 3 Topcat Video Cup

“Enormous talent and if she decided to show her best, she would probably blow away this lineup. Two starts back she was able to settle a lot closer to the speed than normal and she was able to score here in a breathtaking 41.34 and on that occasion she beat the great Sweet It Is. The wide draw is a bit of a disadvantage but if she can find the rail and the field spread out, she should get every chance to make a strong move mid race. You can never really back her with any genuine confidence but I know with a clear run she has their measure.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $3.80 with Bet365

Box Eight – Lady Toy
Black Bitch – 30.8kg – June 2012
Our Toyman x Railway Shiraz
Prize money: $386,542
Trainer: Norma Gost
Career: 79: 21-21-15
From box: 6: 0-4-2
T/D: 14: 4-4-2
T/D Best: 41.80
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 2 McKenna Memorial, 2ND 2015 Group 1 WA , 2015 Group 1 Sandown Cup, 2015 Group 1 , 2015 Group 1 Superstayers, 3RD 2015 Group 3 Lizrene, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Zoom Top, 2015 Group 1 Albion Park Gold Cup, 2015 Group 1 National Distance Championship

“She has been a great chaser for quite some time now and she showed a return to form last week with a strong heat placing. The wide draw doesn't really do her any favours tonight and she is likely to be posted wide for most of the journey. She is clearly two or three lengths off her best at present and she will need to find quite a fair bit if she is going to make an impact tonight.”

Odds to win the Bold Trease: $14 with Bet365

Top Four: 1 – 2 – 7 – 4

Suggested Bets:

Win bets on Lithgow Panther and Kraken Flash

Boxed Quinella: 1,2,4,7 ($6 for 100%)

Exacta: 1,2,4/1,2,4,7 ($9 for 100%)

Trifecta: 1,2,4/1,2,4,7/1,2,3,4,7,8 ($36 for 100%)

Quinella: 1 to rove with 2,4,7 ($3 for 100%)

2015 Group 1 Melbourne Cup (515 metres) – 9:08pm

Box One – Bearville Azza
Black Dog – 32.5kg – May 2013
Lochinvar Marlow x Von's Angel
Prize money: $52,045
Trainer: Rob Britton
Career: 30: 14-4-3
From box: 0: 0-0-0
T/D: 10: 4-2-1
T/D Best: 29.40
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.40, 29.48, The Meadows 30.04, 30.16

“Sizzled early in his heat last week which was a little bit of a surprise but his middle sections where definitely not surprising. He has always been blessed with explosive mid race pace and when he can find the top early it allows him to put a space in his rivals at the half way mark. Tonight he meets an all star lineup and this is clearly his toughest test to date, the red draw is a bid advantage but they are going to come across quickly and I would expect him to get shuffled back in the initial stages. Great effort to qualify but unlikely to figure in the finish.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $26 with Crownbet

Box Two – Dyna Double One
Black Dog – 34.7kg – March 2013
Barcia Bale x Crystin Bale
Prize money: $278,148
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 40: 21-9-5
From box: 5: 5-0-0
T/D: 7: 2-1-2
T/D Best: 29.05
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 3 Consolation, 2ND 2015 Group 2 WA Derby, 2015 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic, 2015 Group 1 Winter Cup, 3RD 2015 Group 1 Silver Chief Classic, 2ND 2015 Group 2 Shootout, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, 2015 Group 1 , 2015 Group 3 SA Derby, 2015 Group 1 Adelaide Cup

“Absolute superstar and he finally showed his true worth with a breathtaking 29.05 win here last week. On that occasion he came out running and from there on he was never in doubt, if he can repeat that effort, then he becomes a serious chance of knocking over the favourite. He has always reserved his best for The Meadows but last week he showed that he can also produce his best here. I am not convinced that he will ping the lids again but even if he does miss away he should be good enough to run home into the quinella spot.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $5 with Crownbet

Box Three – Dyna Tiber
Black Dog – 31.0kg – March 2013
Barcia Bale x Crystin Bale
Prize money: $60,505
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 43: 13-8-1
From box: 3: 0-0-0
T/D: 13: 4-0-1
T/D Best: 29.34
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 1 National Derby

“Has really come of age in recent weeks and it didn't surprise me at all when I saw him lead all the way here last week. His overall time of 29.60 wasn't that impressive but he did post a slick 29.34 three runs back and a repeat of that effort would see him run a monster race. He has the speed to go with the favourite early and if they break away from the field mid race he becomes a serious place chance.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $31 with Sportsbet

Box Four – Zipping Meg
Fawn Bitch – 29.8kg – January 2013
Malfoy x Cho Chang
Prize money: $46,290
Trainer:
Career: 22: 8-6-1
From box: 1: 1-0-0
T/D: 7: 5-1-0
T/D Best: 29.26
Career Highlights: 2ND 2015 Group 3 Magic Maiden, Sandown Park 29.26, 29.27, 29.31 29.34

“Gutsy effort to score last week as she copped a knock at the first bend. She has won five of seven over this track and trip and she can run time when on the lure, the big concern in this race though is that there is quite a bit of speed drawn around her, so if she slightly hesitates early, she will find herself strung up in traffic. Can maybe sneak into a place if things go her way early on but I don't think she will make an impact.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $34 with Crownbet

Box Five – Black Illusion
Black Dog – 34.3kg – January 2013
Collide x My Secret Shiraz
Prize money: $92,020
Trainer: Angela Langton
Career: 66: 17-9-6
From box: 15: 3-2-3
T/D: 27: 6-4-5
T/D Best: 29.64
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic, 2015 Group 2 Geelong Cup

“Can show early speed in his races and he does race well here, however the red draw was a big advantage last week and from the middle draw this week, he is likely to find the going very tough. Great effort to qualify but this is definitely beyond him.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $101 with Sportsbet

Box Six – Fernando Bale
White and Dark Brindle Dog – 29.7kg – March 2013
Kelsos Fusileer x Chloe Allen
Prize money: $1,168,110
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 40: 33-2-2
From box: 7: 6-1-0
T/D: 9: 7-0-1
T/D Best: 28.98
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic, 2015 Group 1 National Derby, 2015 Group 1 Harrison-Dawson, 2015 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic, 2015 Group 1 National Sprint Championship, 2015 Group 1 Adelaide Cup, 2015 Group 1 Topgun, 2015 Group 2 Bendigo Cup, 2015 Group 2 , 2015 Group 3 Bill Collins Memorial, Bendigo 23.39 TR, Traralgon 29.90 TR

“Likely to be his last race and victory will probably see him going down as one of the top two greatest sprinters in the history of the sport. He will go around at the $1.50 price and to be honest, that appears to be over the odds. This chaser continues to ping the lids and his early speed cannot be matched, he has a railer underneath and a wide runner on his outside, so he should get every chance to drive through early and if he finds the top they won't be running him down. A win tonight will see him surpass the $1.5 Million mark and it is going to be a long time until we see another chaser of his calibre.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $1.55 with Sportsbet

Box Seven – Lamia Bale
Brindle Dog – 27.3kg – July 2012
High Earner x Maple Bale
Prize money: $370,465
Trainer: Steve Collins
Career: 76: 22-15-13
From box: 10: 3-2-2
T/D: 38: 12-7-5
T/D Best: 29.23
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Sapphire Crown, 2015 Group 2 Laurels, 2014 Group 3 Dillion Memorial, 2015 Group 3 Ambrosoli, 2ND 2015 Group 1 Rookie Rebel, 2015 Group 3 Collins Memorial, 3RD 2015 Listed Australian Sprint, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Maturity Classic, 2015 Group 1 Australian Cup, 2015 Group 1 Topgun

“Returned to form with a slick 29.42 win here last week, however prior to her heat win she had been going terribly poor. The wide draw isn't too bad tonight and Fernando should give her a nice cart across in the initial stages. If she reproduces last week's effort she can sneak into a place but I'm still not convinced that she is going that well.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $41 with Sportsbet

Box Eight – Secret Spell
Black Bitch – 29.0kg – January 2013
Bartrim Bale x Wicked Witch
Prize money: $262,295
Trainer: Brett Bravo
Career: 39: 22-2-2
From box: 4: 2-0-1
T/D: 11: 5-0-1
T/D Best: 29.26
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Hume Cup, 2014 Group 3 Cranbourne Puppy Classic

“She has won four on end in brilliant style and she reeled off fantastic sectionals when winning here last week in 29.34. From the outside tonight she is likely to be posted wide for most of the journey and I can't see her figuring in the finish.”

Odds to win the Melbourne Cup: $26 with Crownbet

Top Four: 6 – 2 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bets:

Exacta: 6/2

Exacta: 6/2,3,7 ($3 for 100%)

Trifecta: 6/2/Field ($6 for 100%)

Trifecta: 6/2,3,7/2,3,7 ($6 for 100%)

Trifecta: 6/2,3,7/Field ($18 for 100%)

Sign-up with Crownbet for up to $1,000 in free bets to place on the Melbourne Cup meeting.

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