OPINION: Slot holders – who’s in the box seat?

With the slot holders announced for the 2024 edition of the Phoenix last night, I can’t help but question which slot holder is in the best position heading into greyhound selection.

Is it Sportsbet? Being the only slot holder in the races short but exciting history to win multiple.

They don’t have access to the dog who started it all – Wow She’s Fast. Or do they? Just kidding… I can wish though.

Winning three out of four Phoenix’s, the third on return from a litter of pups. The content would put itself together… but we will move on.

In all seriousness, if Wow She’s Fast isn’t involved in the selection panel at Sportsbet they have a lot to answer for.

New entrants Melbourne Storm bring the star factor from outside racing. Now I’m not going to lie, I had these great few lines about who may align with the Storm.

Would the potential owner/trainer take less money to rub shoulders with the elite human athletes? But, this morning they came out announcing Rinsed The Lot as their Phoenix contender. You win some and loose more!

The stars may suggest jumping at Ladbrokes after taking out last years edition of the Phoenix with Schillaci. Will they offer Talgi the chance to go back-to-back? Or will they select someone new to carry them to another Phoenix victory.

Total Container Solutions (TCS) were the new kids on the block last year, selecting Hector Fawley in the dying stages of the section period.

They are made up of some of the greyhound minds across Australia (Brittons, Langton and Halse), but that didn’t sway their judgement last year.

TCS have confirmed their approach will be to wait as long as it takes to find the right dog.

Racing Queensland was three lengths shy of a Phoenix victory with Spotted Elk in 2021. She landed in front with ease, solo trialing until Wow She’s Fast did what she does best.

The Flame returns to determine the Sunshine State’s representative in The Phoenix. More information can be found HERE.

You could almost call Aaron Bain Racing old hands at the slot holder game, having been slot holders in The Eureka, The Nullabor, The Race – NZ (Harness) and Sandgroper. Do they have the strategic mind in the selection process to give them an edge?

Australian Bloodstock have two Melbourne Cups (gallops) under their belts. They know how to get around a thoroughbred who has success. They have an eye for talent, which may well translate to a Phoenix victory.

But, to tell you the truth, I think Awesome Lodge is in the best possible position a slot holder and kennel could be in heading into the Phoenix.

Looking at the Sportsbet All In market three months out from the event, Explicit heads proceedings at $4.60 for Team Thompson.

Excavation at $9 for Team Thompson.

Flying Zulu, $9 for Team Thompson.

Joey The Jet $15, Team Thompson.

Tim Zoo $15, Team Thompson.

Alpha Zulu $16, Team Thompson.

Not hard to see what they have in common.

Is there a world in which we see three, four, five, or six Phoenix contenders coming from Awesome Lodge?

And does this give the Thompson’s better bargaining power? Because at the end of the day, no matter the slot holder, you want to get your hands on the best.

Maybe I could be a fly on the wall during some of these discussions. One thing is for sure, I know Seona will welcome me and my (sometimes screaming) children in with open arms.

Now we wait. Sunday December 15^th the final field for the 2024 Phoenix is announced and box draw complete ahead of the race itself on Saturday 21^st December.