By Mick Floyd
My Redeemer gave David Geall his biggest thrill in greyhound racing by winning the TAB Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park on Friday 23 November.
In one of the most eagerly anticipated editions of the world’s greatest greyhound race, My Redeemer began cleanly from box 1 but was headed by favourite Black Opium to the first turn. My Redeemer held his position on the rail and after a brief bumping duel, he emerged a length clear entering the back straight. From there he was never challenged, doubling his margin off the back straight and powering to the line to register a brilliant 4½ victory in 29.38.
Nineteen month old Black Opium finished a gallant second – her first defeat in eight career starts – while She’s Gifted finished an impressive third after coming from last past the post the first time.
But it was all honours to the winner and his trainer David Geall who could barely contain his emotions after the victory.
“It’s just the greatest feeling in the world,” Geall told Sky Racing.
“As a trainer, a Melbourne Cup is what we all want. Just to see him jump so well in the biggest race in the world – I tell you what this is sensational.”
Geall and owner Brendan Sinfield had a large contingent of family and friends trackside to experience the moment in what proved one of the most popular victories in the race’s 63 year history.
My Redeemer was bred by Geall and his wife Rose and was their second Cup finalist after Up Hill Jill – My Redeemer’s older half-sister – was unplaced in the 2017 edition.
The win was My Redeemer’s second group 1 at Sandown Park following his Harrison-Dawson victory in May. So impressive was that performance that he was rated a $10 the chance to win the TAB Melbourne Cup when markets opened soon after, however luck would desert the son of Fernando Bale over the following months, winning just 3 of his 13 races leading into the TAB Melbourne Cup series, blowing out to $21 ahead of the heats. Remarkably, despite his impressive heat victory and drawing ideally in box 1 for the final, My Redeemer eased from $3.50 following the box draw to $4.60 when the lids opened.
The TAB Melbourne Cup was My Redeemer’s 20th win from 42 starts and the $435,000 winner’s cheque boosted his career earnings to $648,370.
It was also another triumph for My Redeemer’s sire Fernando Bale. In his first full season, his progeny have won 15 group 1 finals in 2018, winning almost $11m in prize money.
Later in the night, Barcali gave Robert Britton his third group 1 Bold Trease title with a thrilling, last stride victory over Black Impala.
There were eight feature races in the biggest TAB Melbourne Cup night ever staged, with $1,000,000 in prize money to be won across the 12 race card.
