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THE band is staying together with race sponsor Sportsbet announcing Big Energy as its runner in the $1.65 million The Phoenix next month.

Sportsbet have secured ageless sprinter Big Energy to contest the $1.65 The Phoenix (525m) at The Meadows on December 21.

The announcement sees Sportsbet remain with trainers Kel and Jackie Greenough for the fourth running of the $1 million-to-the-winner showpiece.

In 2021 and 2022 the combination tasted victory with the great Wow She’s Fast before the all-time highest stakes earner retired after her courageous fourth placed finish in 2023.

News that Big Energy, more affectionately known as Benny, will take his place in The Phoenix comes ahead of his tilt at the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (515m) at Sandown Park on Saturday night.

“The Phoenix is the world’s richest greyhound race and after winning the first two editions with Wow She’s Fast, we’re eager to bounce back with a win this year with Big Energy,” a Sportsbet spokesperson said.

“Sportsbet loves innovation, and we have got behind The Phoenix concept from day one. It’s just another demonstration of Sportsbet’s unwavering commitment to greyhound racing and we encourage as many punters to come down to The Sportsbet Meadows on December 21 for this magnificent night of racing.”

The 19-time winner roared into contention for the Melbourne Cup with a slashing 29.14 heat win last weekend which followed his emphatic defence of his Group 3 Shootout title a week earlier.

Big Energy was beaten half-a-length into second in last year’s Melbourne Cup behind Aussie Rocks.

But a box seven draw this Saturday has tempered his chances, the same box he negotiated when finishing fifth in last year’s The Phoenix when representing slot holder RSN.

Big Energy is a $7 third favourite for The Phoenix behind the Jason Thompson trained duo of Explicit and Excavation which are priced at $3.50 and $4.50 respectively.

Rinsed The Lot, which holds the Melbourne Storm slot, is at $8.50.

Original article provided by The Greyhound Recorder’s Adam Dobbin