News

Sportsbet was forced to find a new runner for the flagship event following the withdrawal of their initial selection Barefoot Zulu with injury.

Accredited emerged as a potential Phoenix candidate with his slashing recent victory in the Group 1 Hume Cup (600m) at The Meadows, venue for The Phoenix on Saturday, December 13.

Trained by 25-year-old Ned McDonald, the son of Fernando Bale then further enhanced those claims with last Saturday’s sensational Melbourne Cup heat win at Sandown Park, stopping the clock in a Best Of Night 29.07.

“He’s locked away,” an excited McDonald said on Wednesday morning.

“We came to a handshake agreement with Sportsbet last night and put pen to paper about 15 minutes ago.

 

---

“Like I’ve been saying for the last few weeks, these races are the reason we do what we do, so it’s really exciting.”

---

 

Accredited has drawn box three in Saturday night’s $500,000-to-the-winner Melbourne Cup, where he is a $3.80 second favourite. Accredited becomes just the third dog guaranteed a The Phoenix berth, with a number of key hopefuls going by the wayside.

“He’s really elevated himself into the top tier,” said McDonald.

“The dog is well and he’s in a real purple patch. His recent form speaks for itself.

“It’s my first runner in The Phoenix, but when Vice Grip came over from Perth for the first Phoenix in 2021, Adam (Smithson, trainer) sent him to me. Vice Grip was up there early but got into trouble.”

Sportsbet won the first two editions of The Phoenix with the great Wow She’s Fast. The Steve Fitch-trained duo of Cumbria Jack and Eriza Sparkles are the only other two greyhounds locked in for the $1 million-to-the winner feature. Cumbria Jack is set to represent first time slot holder Metro Jetting, while Eriza Sparkles will line-up for RAM Racing.  It’s understood South Australian glamour girl Mallee Beauty is on the verge of securing her place in the race.

 

Article courtesy of The Greyhound Recorder     Photo Credit Jason Mckeon