News
17 December, 2024
Runner-by-Runner Guide to the G1 Phoenix
The 2024 edition of The Phoenix is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions of the world’s richest greyhound race with all eight greyhounds capable of setting the clock alight – particularly early.
The early speed – on paper – in this race will see a wall of greyhounds vying for the lead going into the first bend with that speed map being crucial to the chances of most.
While the inside draws were the most coveted boxes at Sunday’s box draw, in the three years since the race’s inception, the ‘squeeze’ draws have dominated with Box 4 (Wow She’s Fast – 2021), Box 5 (Schillaci – 2023) & Box 6 (Wow She’s Fast – 2022) being the winning boxes.
1. SCHILLACI
Trainer: Jihad Talgi
Record: 40 starts – 16-8-2
Prizemoney: $1,194,460
Why he can win: The reigning champion comes into this race in arguably better form than last year; his performance in his heat of the Melbourne Cup was one of the best of his career and he was unlucky not to lead the Melbourne Cup field up with a blistering 4.98 first section in the final. Trialled 5.10, 17.65 here on Monday.
Why he can’t win:
Has only won 5 times from his 21 starts since last year’s Phoenix win. His Box 1 record at The Meadows is 2 starts: 0-1-0, with his two losses coming in the Australian Cup semi-final and the 2023 Topgun. His three wins from this draw have come at Angle Park, Warragul & Warrnambool.
2. BIG ENERGY
Trainer: Jackie Greenough
Record: 46 starts – 19-8-2
Prizemoney: $559,685
Why he can win: He’s one of the fastest dogs we have seen on the racetrack in recent memory as evidenced by his astonishing five sub-29 second runs at Sandown and is unbeaten from Box 2.
Why he can’t win: The oldest dog in the field having just turned four years old and has only won one of his 5 starts at The Broadmeadows circuit with losses coming in races with similar pressure; last year’s Phoenix, The Temlee and The Topgun.
3. EXCAVATION
Trainer: Jason Thompson
Record: 31 starts – 13-4-5
Prizemoney: $377,025
Why he can win: He’s proven to be a big race performer with wins in the G1 Adelaide Cup and the G1 Topgun, while also holding the second fastest time of the year at The Meadows.
Why he can’t win: Has led in 12 of his 13 race wins and with the early speed in this race he is no guarantee to be leading with the early pressure he is forecasted to cop.
4. SUNSET FRAZIER
Trainer: Jeff Britton
Record: 34 starts – 16-9-5
Prizemoney: $340,900
Why he can win: He’s performed in high pressure races in four states and broke Fernando Bale’s second split record at Sandown while holding off the Topgun champ in the Melbourne Cup heats. He trialled in blistering fashion at The Meadows recently – 5.02, 17.53.
Why he can’t win: Does need 10-20m of clear air out of the boxes before he explodes, will he get that from the middle draw in this sort of company?
5. DAYSEA’S RORY
Trainer: Tom Tzouvelis
Record: 38 starts – 10-11-5
Prizemoney: $141,128
Why he can win: Since joining Tom Tzouvelis’ kennel, Daysea’s Rory has gone from strength to strength including two G3 wins while showing a consistently fast first split that makes him a contender in any race.
Why he can’t win: Lacks in Meadows experience with only one look at the track (Exhibition trial – 5.10, 17.73, 29.92 overall) and hasn’t been tested in this sort of class before.
6. LAKEVIEW EMILY
Trainer: Harley Whelan
Record: 39 starts – 16-9-3
Prizemoney: $347,400
Why she can win: Is capable of setting blistering sectionals and is coming into this race in arguably career best form with her most recent two race starts – 29.10 Sandown, 29.55 Meadows – being followed up with a 400m trial at Warragul that was within two lengths of the track record.
Why she can’t win: The only female in the race is giving away a weight advantage to her rivals and has had three cracks at Group 1 company but is yet to breakthrough for a victory.
7. SMOOTH PLANE
Trainer: Tom Dailly
Record: 60 starts – 21-14-3
Prizemoney: $290,635
Why he can win: Unbeaten from six appearances from Box 7 and his exhibition trial last Saturday was unfathomably quick – 29.41 – the third fastest time in history. One of the few in the race that doesn’t have to lead to win.
Why he can’t win: Isn’t known to always begin like he did in his last start at Sandown (4.95); has never gone quicker than 5.07 early at The Meadows.
8. EXPLICIT
Trainer: Jason Thompson
Record: 36 starts – 26-4-1
Prizemoney: $983,380
Why he can win: The recent Melbourne Cup winner is a dual Group 1 winner who has won 11 of his 16 starts from wide draws (Boxes 6-8) and has predominately raced in top company his entire career.
Why he can’t win: He has been beaten from wide draws in high pressure races previously (notably the Million Dollar Chase & Sandgroper).
The Phoenix reserves will be selected by representatives of GRV and the MGRA on Wednesday 18 December with the following greyhounds nominated and therefore, in consideration:
Field Day, Grand Tourer, Iconic Jet, Kia Kaha, Magistrate, Mepunga Tully, Tim Zoo.
WATCH: The Phoenix box draw for 2024
WATCH: The Phoenix Flight Path Podcast with James Van de Maat & Corey Smith
