Sprinter faces the big one

MELBOURNE Cup favourite El Grand Senor is a giant by name, stature and reputation.
The 39kg monster is expected to underline his status as Australia’s dominant sprinter by claiming his third Group 1 victory in tonight’s 515m Cup final.
The reigning Topgun winner, owned and trained by Carolyn Jones at Sale, clocked the fastest heat time – at 29.43 seconds – of the night on his way to a four-length win last Thursday (11 November).
He has now won 22 of his 28 starts and, having drawn handily with box two, will likely dictate terms in the early stages of tonight’s race.
Jones even believes the explosive starter was a run short of his best last week and, in an ominous sign, expects significant improvement.
Meanwhile, master trainer Graeme Bate will be out to secure a record fourth Melbourne Cup with Zambola Bale, which ran a 29.60 heat.
Fellow Geelong-based mentors Andrea Dailly and Robert Britton will prepare the bookends for tonight’s event, with Dyna Obelia and Symmetry to jump from boxes one and eight respectively.