Australian Bloodstock locks in its Phoenix representative

Veteran sprinter Smooth Plane has been secured by Australian Bloodstock to represent the Melbourne Cup-winning thoroughbred syndicate in this year’s Phoenix.

The Tom Dailly-trained 21-month-old, fresh off a win at Sandown Park on Saturday night in the group listed Sportsbet Cup Night Sprint, becomes the fifth dog locked away for the world’s richest race, leaving just three slots left to be filled.

A winner of 21 of his 60 career starts and $290,000 in prize money, Smooth Plane clocked a slick 29.24 on Saturday night, fractionally quicker than the Melbourne Cup won by Explicit in 29.29. A sharp 4.95 first split on Saturday night from box five would also have added to the greyhound’s Phoenix credentials.

He last raced at The Meadows on November 16, finishing second to Lakeview Emily in 29.75, while he won at the track in late September, smashing kennelmate Shima Current in a time of 29.89.

“It’s our first venture into being a slot holder for such a great race,” Australian Bloodstock director Luke Murrell told The Greyhound Recorder.

“With the recommendation of Glenn Rounds, we have chosen Smooth Plane as our runner for The Phoenix.”

The news comes just days after Sportsbet decided to continue its association with the Greenough family, electing to lock in Big Energy as its representative.

Sportsbet won the first two editions of The Phoenix with Wow She’s Fast, who ran fourth in the race last year in her swansong race.

Racing Queensland’s slot will be filled by this Thursday with the running of the win-and-you’re-in Queensland Flame at Albion Park.

Jay Is Jay, who represented Queensland last year, is among the field.

Other greyhounds yet to secure a Phoenix berth include Hector Fawley, who represented Total Container Solutions last year, reigning champion Schillaci who was luckless in the Melbourne Cup on Saturday night, and Sunset Frazier, who broke the clock on Cup heats night.

Field Day, Flying Zulu, Tim Zoo, Miss Envy, Blue Kamaro and Canya All Class are also options for Ladbrokes and Total Container Solutions, who are yet to pin down their race hope.

Confirmed starters for The Phoenix
(odds thanks to Sportsbet)

• Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock – Excavation ($4.50)
• Australian Bloodstock – Smooth Plane (no odds)
• Awesome Lodge – Explicit ($3.50)
• Melbourne Storm – Rinsed The Lot ($8.50)
• Sportsbet – Big Energy ($7)
• Racing Queensland – TBD (December 5)
• Ladbrokes – TBA
• Total Container Solutions – TBA

‍