Distinction A Surprise Choice For Final Phoenix Slot

The field for the fifth running of the $1.65 million The Phoenix was finalised on Friday morning, with Awesome Lodge anointing lightly-raced Distinction as the shock choice for its slot in the world’s richest race.

In a gutsy call from champion trainer Jason Thompson, Distinction has only started five times, for four provincial wins at Shepparton, Ballarat and Warragul, and will make her city and 500m debut in the $1 million to-the-winner Group 1.

Remarkably, Distinction doesn’t turn two until March and only had her first start on October 27.

Her left-field selection draws parallels with champion sprinter Wow She’s Fast, which won the inaugural The Phoenix in 2021 at just her seventh start.

“She’s only ever had one 500m trial in her life,” Jason Thompson said of Distinction.

“But we think she’s very good and we’ve backed her in.

“She’s certainly not the strongest dog in the race, but if she gets the start right I know she can lead. She’s a brilliant beginner with a fast first section – that’s her pattern.

“It wasn’t an easy decision. We chose her over Traumatise, which ran 29.50 at The Meadows three-and-a-half weeks ago.

“If you knew you were going to get box one, two or three with Traumatise it would be a different story, but if you draw six, seven or eight with him you’re basically cooked.

“You don’t want to be drawn outside of Slick Splits or Mallee Beauty with Distinction, but the box draw isn’t as important because of her early speed.”

Thompson is striving to go back-to-back in The Phoenix, with Distinction closely related to last year’s winner Explicit.

Both are sired by Bernardo, with Distinction’s mother, Shallow Witts (Barcia Bale x Brueghelino) a half-sister to Explicit.

“Depending on where she draws, Distinction is probably going to be the outsider in the race, but we’re more than happy to have her in it,” Thompson said.

“Looking at the race, there’s no obvious leader.

“I know Distinction isn’t going to run 29.50 or 29.60 or probably even 29.70. I think she can run 29.75 to 29.85.

“But no dog has broken the clock in The Phoenix yet and it may never happen. Explicit ran 29.72 last year.”

Thompson will have two runners in The Phoenix.

It was revealed on Thursday that Deadly Avenger would be transferred to Thompson for one start only in The Phoenix after being chosen by David Bourke Constructions, with Bourke a close friend of Thompson.

The most intriguing box draw in greyhound racing unfolds Sunday 10:30am on Sky Racing 1, hosted by Marc Ohlmus, Nathan Rooney and Jason Adams.