Divas dispute Cup favouritism

[Wandering Eyes]

Wow She’s Fast has been displaced as favourite for the Group 1 Sportsbet Melbourne Cup, ahead of Saturday night’s star-studded heats at Sandown Park, despite a remarkable last-to-first victory in the Group 3 Shootout last weekend.

The Victorian superstar overcame a poor start to win the four-greyhound Shootout in a scorching 29.28sec, her 16^th win from 23 starts.

“That’s the second time she’s stumbled off the mat at Sandown, the previous time was in the (G1) Sapphire Crown heats,” co-trainer Kel Greenough said.

“I was thinking ‘What’s going on’. But she showed her intelligence and waited for the right run.”

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Shootout runner-up She’s A Pearl has subsequently leapfrogged Wow She’s Fast at the top of Sportsbet’s ‘All In’ Melbourne Cup market.

NSW champion She’s A Pearl, the reigning Australian Greyhound of the Year and the country’s record stakes winner, is $6, with Wow She’s Fast a drifting $8 second elect.

Wow She’s Fast has drawn box 7 in the fifth of Saturday night’s eight ‘must win’ heats – race 9 at 9.15pm – where she’s $2.70, shaded by Paddy Wants Pats (box 2) at $2.60.

“I’ve got no doubt she’ll get down to 29 seconds at Sandown.” – She’s A Pearl’s co-trainer Andy Lord

“Box 7 doesn’t really worry me; the thing that concerns me is the dog drawn in six (Chic) is a good beginner and stays wide,” Greenough said.

“If we get stuck on its outside we could be in a bit of trouble.

“I think Paddy Wants Pats is extremely well-drawn in box 2 with a wide runner in box 3 (Panadero Warrior). He was very impressive winning last week too. (29.34sec).

“Paddy Wants Pats will be hard to beat, but if Wow She’s Fast can get around ‘the six’ and gets a clear run, I think she’ll be okay.”

WATCH: WOW SHE’S FAST (B3) came from last in a field of four to win the Group 3 Shootout at Sandown Park last Saturday night, defeating SHE’S A PEARL (B1) in 29.28sec.

Newly installed series favourite She’s A Pearl also has to contend with a ‘sticky’ draw, coming up with box 5 in heat 4 – race 8 at 8.57pm – where she’s $2.30 favourite, ahead of Plaintiff (box 4) at $2.90.

“She’ll definitely improve this week,” co-trainer Andy Lord said.

“She cost herself the race last week. You could see her getting off the track and it was her first real trip away too.

“I’ve got no doubt she’ll get down to 29 seconds at Sandown, whether it’s this week or next week, I’m not sure.

“Box draws don’t worry me. She won the Golden Easter Egg Final from box 5 and the Million Dollar Chase from box 4.”

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