By Glen Atwelland Brad Kingsbury
GREYHOUND trainer Cameron Taylor was the toast of the dog racing world at Sandown Park last Thursday night, wining the 50th running of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.
His rising star Closing Argument ($5.10) led home kennel mate Bonshaw Boy in claiming the quinella in the $215,000 race, and the trainer from Napoleons, south of Ballarat, was overawed at the feat after the presentation.
“It’s the biggest race we’ve won by far and to quinella it is just unbelievable,” he said
“He’s a homebred dog out of one of Darren Murray’s bitches and it’s just a great thrill.
“He’s a super young pup and he still qualifies for the Silver Chief so if he comes up from this run okay, we’ll aim at that.”
The large crowd on course did not disappoint event organisers, who were thrilled with the turnout.
The car park at Sandown Park was stretched to capacity and by the time the Melbourne Cup was ready to jump, cars had spilt onto Lightwood Road.
Closing Argument drew box one for the first time in his career and powered to the lead not long after the field was released.
Wellbacked favourite and track record holder Bond could not round up the early leaders and was checked rounding the first corner, losing significant ground.
Closing Argument proved too strong for the late dashers and became the fourth dog in succession to win the Melbourne Cup from the red box.
Bonshaw Boy ran on gamely to finish second and long shot See You Later finished an impressive third.
Taylor and owner Darren Murray, who bred and reared the greyhound, led the celebrations with a large entourage of supporters on course.
The dog also kept intact an unbeaten record at Sandown Park in five starts and pushed his total prize money beyond $190,000.
Earlier in the night, Texas Gold returned to his devastating best, winning the $36,000 Group 2 Bold Trease Carnival Cup.
After missing the start and spotting early leader Mid City Mandy many lengths, oddson favourite Texas Gold rounded up his rivals and on straightening unleashed his now famous finishing burst, sweeping past the strong field to down Arvo’s Athena by half a length.
New South Walesbased trainer Jason McKay was not surprised at his dog’s effort and said he had expected an improvement after Texas Gold’s recovery from a foot injury.
“He ripped a toenail off and exposed a nerve three weeks ago and I couldn’t even walk him, to tell you the truth,” he said.
“We worked on him and got two vets’ clearances to run him, but we came last week (in the heats) without really working him and that caused a problem.
“It was also his first plane trip last week and he never handled it one iota.”
“Seven days in Melbourne with (trainer) Bobby Douglas did the trick and I knew he would be a massive improver tonight,” McKay said after the race.
Texas Gold will have a threeweek spell and then be aimed at the Associations Cup series.
