News
Explicit makes Melbourne Cup statement
Superstar Explicit has stamped himself as the sport’s champion greyhound, winning the Melbourne Cup in his penultimate race start to give Team Thompson their fifth triumph in the time-honoured race.
Superstar Explicit has stamped himself as the sport’s champion greyhound, winning the Melbourne Cup in his penultimate race start to give Team Thompson their fifth triumph in the time-honoured race.
Avoiding trouble at the first turn, Explicit looped the field and kicked clear down the back, and they could not chase the favourite down.
“I don’t know how he did it. How he whipped around them and got to the front, I can’t believe it,” Luke Thompson said.
He’d won a Temlee, but the big majors had eluded Explicit until tonight.
The Melbourne Cup was his second group 1 triumph, adding to a Ballarat Cup, a Shepparton Cup and a Great Chase final. For Team Thompson, the triumph adds to the wins of Light Of Fire (1994), Got A Moment (2012), Black Magic Opal (2013) and Aston Dee Bee (2017).
He’ll have his final start in the world’s richest greyhound race, The Phoenix, on Saturday 21 December, representing Awesome Lodge.
“This dog from day one, we knew he was a group 1 dog,” Thompson told the Racing.com broadcast.
“We knew he was a group 1 dog from the start.
“When he won the Temlee, everyone expected him to win every race from that point on, but they’re tough races to win, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got box one or eight. Anything can happen. All we wanted to see was him win a big group 1 … and he’s done it tonight. I’m just so proud of him.
“It’s what we work hard for. The Melbourne Cup just has that history and prestige to it, and so lucky to win it four times in the past, and to add a fifth one this year, just so grateful to have these unbelievable dogs.”
Kennelmate Joey The Jet finished second from West Australian raider Miss Envy, with rank outsider Buddy Monelli in fourth.
Schillaci was the hard luck story. He looked destined to lead into the first turn from box three, but Sunset Frazier was cramped for room on his heels and he tumbled down, interfering with Schillaci.
Sunset Frazier finished the race and was vetted, found to have a sore left wrist. He will be stood down from racing for seven days. Epitomize was vetted and had no apparent injury.
Events
The Sportsbet Dream Chasers Festival is back!
With over $3.5million in prize money up for grabs, The Meadows and Sandown Park again play host to these blockbuster greyhound events, including the history and prestige of the Group 1 Sportsbet Melbourne Cup, as well as the energy and excitement of the most exhilarating race in greyhound racing, The Phoenix. Be sure to get on course or watch all the action live and exclusive on Racing.com or Sky Racing.
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Nov
7
Sportsbet Topgun
The Meadows
Start your Sportsbet Dream Chasers Festival experience with an unforgettable night of hospitality at The Meadows. There are a number of exciting ways to be part of this premier night of entertainment, with three massive Group 1 races set to light up the track. This year’s Sportsbet Topgun has something for everyone. Trackside, The Meadows will bring the Dream Chasers Festival to life with an electric atmosphere, crowd participation and plenty of surprises in store. Meanwhile, dining guests can enjoy first-class hospitality, and entertainment throughout the night.
Nov
21
Sportsbet Melbourne Cup Heats
Sandown Park
This is where legends begin. On Saturday 21 November, the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup and Bold Trease heats explode into life at Sandown Park, as Australia’s fastest greyhounds go flat out for a place in the biggest finals of the year. Eight heats. No second chances. Dreams made and broken in under 30 seconds. And the action doesn’t stop at the finish line. Rewind 80s will have the crowd singing outside near Box 9, a DJ keeps the party pumping upstairs, and local community clubs bring the colour and noise as they’re drawn their Community Sweep finalists. Grab a bite from the food trucks, settle in for a buffet with the family, or talk tactics with Australia’s Greatest Greyhound Punter, Troy Little. General admission is free, so round up your mates and be there when the field takes shape.
Nov
28
Sportsbet Melbourne Cup
Sandown Park
The Sportsbet Melbourne Cup is considered the world's greatest greyhound race, boasting an honour roll that's unrivalled. Each November, Sandown Park becomes the stage where legends are made and history is written at lightning speed.
Dec
12
The Phoenix
The Meadows
After five editions, The Phoenix has quickly risen to become the most captivating greyhound race in the country. Offering a total prize pool of $1.65 million and $1 million to the winner, it’s the richest greyhound race in the world and the biggest party in greyhound racing! Be part of the phenomenon in 2026.
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