Astute greyhound trainer Glenn Rounds says drawing the coveted red alley with Campini is “an added bonus” in Friday night’s $630,000 Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup (515m) at Sandown Park.
“It’s not a pressure at all (Box 1), it’s just a bonus for us,” Rounds said. “His preparation is ideal, and to come up with the big red box he’ll be more of a chance now.”
A former WA sprint star, Campini defeated young tyro Shima Shine in a heat last week, which didn’t come as a complete surprise to Rounds.
“I knew the dog was flying, but to go underneath Shima Shine and run past him down the back straight was amazing,” Rounds added.
Punters are sharing Rounds’ enthusiasm about Campini’s Cup prospects. He’s now the TAB’s $5 second elect behind Hooked On Scotch ($1.90), who broke the 515 metre track record in a Melbourne Cup heat last week.
Campini is undefeated in two starts from Box 1.
The charge to the first turn will be interesting with Campini likely to jostle for the early lead with Whiskey Riot (Box 3) and Flynn (Box 4).
Whiskey Riot’s trainer Anthony Azzopardi is delighted with the draw.
“Box 3 is going to put Whiskey Riot right in the race,” Azzopardi said. “If he can find the fence early on he might be able to work his way to the front, and from there you never know you’re luck.”
The TAB Melbourne Cup is scheduled to run at 8.51pm tomorrow.
