News

22 December, 2024

Explicit runs riot in The Phoenix

Superstar sprinter Explicit has enshrined himself in greyhound racing folklore in front of near 1500 onlookers at The Meadows with a phenomenal victory in The Phoenix (Group 1 – 525m).

In his swansong to racing, Explicit went out with the loudest of bangs, delivering a complete all round performance to land the $1 million-to-the-winner showpiece in comprehensive fashion for trainer Jason Thompson. The triumph sees Explicit, winner at 27 of his 37 starts and $1.9m in stakes, enter the stud ranks as a three-time Group 1 winner with his victory in The Phoenix following his Melbourne Cup heroics a fortnight ago and his Temlee success earlier in the year.

And it also capped off a remarkable 2024 for premier trainer Jason Thompson who has annexed 12 Group events including the grand slam of the Victorian sprint races, the Australian Cup (Tim Zoo), Topgun (Excavation) and Melbourne Cup-The Phoenix double with sprint king Explicit. The Phoenix triumph also saw Thompson scale to $4.4m in prize money earnings in 2024 which sets a new Australasian record.

 

Reviewing the 4th edition of the world’s richest greyhound race, with an eye watering total prize pool of $1.65 million, it was a glorious ride into second place for Australian Blood Stock selection Smooth Plane. A selection, that was questioned at the time, proved the critics wrongs as the Thomas Dailly trained flying machine grabbed a big share of the prize pool and elevated his career winnings to close to half a million dollars.

In another sensational performance, Daysea’s Rory (Queensland Flame Winner) ran out of his skin for slot holder Racing Queensland. Holding onto third gave trainer Tom Tzouvelis and connections plenty to smile about (READ MORE). Sent out by punters as a $31 outsider, the Queensland chargers performance evoked memories of the inaugural Phoenix when Spotted Elk represented Queensland and finished a gallant second at bolters odds behind Wow She’s Fast. Behind Daysea’s Rory was last years Phoenix winner Schillaci. The Jihad Talgi trained dog was again Ladbroke Racing Club’s choice and did his team proud.

FINAL PLACINGS – THE PHOENIX 2024

  • 1st Explicit – Awesome Lodge (Jason Thompson)
  • 2nd Smooth Plane – Australian Bloodstock (Thomas Dailly)
  • 3rd Daysea’s Rory – Racing Queensland (Tom Tzouvelis)
  • 4th Schillaci – Ladbrokes Racing Club (Jihad Talgi)
  • 5th Sunset Frazier – Toral Container Solutions (Jeffrey Britton)
  • 6th Lakeview Emily – Melbourne Storm (Harley Whelan)
  • 7th Big Energy – Sportsbet (Jackie Greenough)
  • 8th Excavation – Aaron Bain Racing, Summit Bloodstock, Teams Zav & Tonkin Stewart Racing (Jason Thompson)

Team Thompson rise in The Phoenix

Directly following Explicit’s devastating success, an emotional Seona Thompson was full of praise for their gun sprinter who races into retirement in the most memorable of ways.

“He’s a special, special dog,” Seona Thompson beamed on Racing.com about the son of Bernardo.

“When he won the Melbourne Cup it really took some pressure off and what ever happened tonight was really a bonus.

“I haven’t said this before but Awesome Assassin was always Jason’s favourite dog, we’ve had a lot of good dogs in between, but this dog (Explicit) he just adores so much.

 

“To be able to share this with the Tullio family is special as well. It is amazing.”

 

Following the race, Thompson also heaped praise on children Luke and Holly who in recent years have become an even more integral part of the family’s ongoing success.

“Those two kids are just amazing,” Seona beamed.

“Jason and I are just so proud of them. We wouldn’t be doing this now without Luke and Holly.

“And as for my husband (Jason) I might be biased but he’s next level, I don’t think there’s been another one like him.”

Using box eight to perfection, Explicit scored by 2 ¼ lengths on the line from Smooth Plane in 29.72.

 

Pre-race challenger race – one for the ages

While The Phoenix was the undeniable highlight at The Meadows on Saturday night it was the Match Race Sprint that got the blood pumping with Tim Zoo outlasting kennel mate Field Day in a thrilling 525 metre slugfest. Tim Zoo posted 29.62 to score by half-a-length to launch a memorable night for the Thompson family. It highlighted the excitement that The Phoenix generates. A big crowd was left spellbound by these two chasers as the set the track alight in a precursor to the main event.

In an evening heralded now by many as the biggest race night on the greyhound calendar we can only look forward to what the 2025 edition will bring. Those interested in applying for a slot should start planning now, as places year on year are getting more hotly contested. The great news is anyone happy to stump up the $100,000 slot purchase is welcome to apply.

ARTICLE COURTSEY OF GRV & THE MELBOURNE GREYHOUNDS