By MICHAEL FLOYD
A 25/1 winner, a new record and an aptly named speedster highlighted an exciting Melbourne Cup Prelude series at Sandown Park last Thursday.
Dyna Filbert caused the upset of the night in the opening Prelude, defeating kennel mate and race favourite Desalle Bale by 2.5 lengths in 29.77. Desalle Bale, a finalist in the 2012 Melbourne Cup, unusually missed the start allowing Queenslander Gee Ef Cee to take the early lead.
However Dyna Filbert enjoyed a charmed run through the first turn and stalked the early leader throughout before sweeping past at the home turn to record a big win at $26.70.
Trainer Peter Hunt completed a feature double when Cobra Bale reigned in early leader Yoda Bale to win in 29.70. Yoda Bale set a new first split record however couldn’t maintain that pace, Cobra Bale finishing over the top to win by three-quarters of a length.
The aptly named Speed Series continued his outstanding form when recording the fastest Prelude win at 29.50. Trained by Glenn Campbell in the tiny north-east Victorian town of Peechelba, Speed Series jumped well from box eight and used that space to sweep around the field at the first turn.
Out in front and with trouble behind, Speed Series would win unchallenged by 4.5 lengths. Irish import Razldazl Luke endured a chequered run but chased with great conviction to run second for leading trainer Darren McDonald.
McDonald would depart with a Prelude winner however, his exciting chaser Dark Warrior booking his place in the Melbourne Cup heats with an impressive all-of-the-way win in 29.66.
Dark Warrior sprung from box two to lead clearly through the first turn, and was strong enough to hold off a late challenge from Tee Brady and Clone Your Own by a length.
Nominations for the Group 3 Shootout close at midday today (Monday).
The field for the $50,000 winner-takes-all four-dog spectacular will be announced on Sky Racing’s Catching Pen tonight from 7.30pm and available at www.sandowngreyhounds.com.au soon after. The final will be run on Thursday 7 November.
