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CHAMPION trainer Jason Thompson will be in pursuit of a clean sweep of Victoria’s four major sprint titles when Explicit and Excavation launch into action in The Sportsbet Phoenix (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

In a remarkable year, and one that is set to go down unrivalled, Thompson has won an amazing 11 Group events, including the first three elite Victorian Group 1 races courtesy of Tim Zoo in the Australian Cup, Excavation in the Topgun and Explicit in the Melbourne Cup.

With The Phoenix now boasting Group 1 status, all that remains for Thompson to claim a historic Victorian ‘Grand Slam’ is victory on Saturday night, with the premier conditioner hoping either Explicit (box 8) or Excavation (box 3) can go one better than Postman Pat’s second-placed heroics in 2023.

RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE: GROUP 1 THE PHOENIX

Win, lose or draw, The Phoenix will serve as Explicit’s farewell to racing, with stud duties pressing large for the dual group 1 winning son of Bernardo.

“The preparation for both dogs has been faultless,” Thompson said.

“Usually I’d be a bit worried going three weeks in between runs but both dogs have been up for a long time and are rock hard fit.

Explicit racing to victory in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup Picture Clint Anderson.

“Box eight for Explicit is perfect and the three for Excavation is ideal as well. He’s not a hard railer but wants to be down near the fence.

“We’ve had runners in The Phoenix each of the three years and finished second with Postman Pat last year but this lead up is as happy as I’ve been.

“There’s two Group 1 winners in the field and they are our two and they’ve won two each.

“Just proper race dogs that step up and get the job done on the big occasion and I’m confident they can do that again on Saturday night.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if either of the two won; as long as one of them do.”

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS SATURDAY NIGHT

Explicit will race under Thompson’s Awesome Lodge banner in The Phoenix while Excavation will fly the flag for another first timeslot holder, Aaron Bain Racing & Summit Bloodstock.

Victory in Saturday night’s showpiece would see Thompson’s 2024 prizemoney tally soar to an eye-watering $4.4 million which would set a new Australasian record, surpassing the $4.3 million banked by Tom and George Dailly in 2015.

The looming stakes record has been reached by triumph in some of the country’s biggest races, with the three Victorian majors going alongside wins in the Group 1 Temlee (Explicit), Group 1 Brisbane Cup (Flying Zulu) and Group 1 Adelaide Cup (Excavation).

Excavation will race for slot holder Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock in The Phoenix Picture: Clint Anderson.

“Looking back now on the year it’s hard not to say it’s the best crop of dogs we’ve had,” Thompson said.

“To win the races we have is great but The Phoenix is the one we’ve had our sights set on and to have two dogs of this calibre, at the peak of their form, gives you that confidence.

“If Explicit could go out a winner that would be great but after he won the Melbourne Cup this race now almost feels like a free swing.

“The pressure is off a bit. Not that he had anything to prove anyway.”

Superstar Explicit is the $3.30 favourite to win The Phoenix from his box eight draw ahead of defending champion Schillaci at $4.40 from box one.

Topgun hero Excavation is on the next line at $6 from his box three draw.

Original article written by The Greyhound Recorder’s Adam Dobbin

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