Anthony Azzopardi’s quest for back-to-back TAB Melbourne Cups has begun as Short Pork won last night’s ’50 Day Countdown’ at Sandown Park.
It was a wet and blustery night on-track but conditions weren’t enough to halt Short Pork. He began fairly then took a rails run at the first turn and soon took control from leader Wendalin Bale. Race favourite Christo Bale charged late but was too far back to threaten for the win.
“When he settled where he did I knew they were going to find it hard to get him,” said trainer Anthony Azzopardi.
Short Pork did the job from a favourable draw in box 3, something which has been hard to come by in recent months. He’s had just seven inside draws from 21 starts while in Azzopardi’s care.
“His run of box draws hasn’t helped him at all. The dog has been flying but just hasn’t been able to find any luck.”
With the ’50 Day Countdown’ a TAB Melbourne Cup Exemption Race he’s now through to heats of the world’s greatest greyhound race.
“It’s definitely an advantage having qualified for the heats this early and not needing to run in a Prelude.”
The first of three Prelude series’ is set for next Thursday October 15. Greyhounds must compete in a Prelude or have won an Exemption Race to be eligible for the heats.
Heats of the TAB Melbourne Cup will be run Friday November 20 and the final Friday November 27.
Find all of the Cup information at sandowngreyhounds.com.au/MelbourneCup
Click here for last night’s results
