Neds Reveal Runner For $1.65m The Phoenix

ANOTHER piece of The Phoenix puzzle has fallen with slot holder Neds announcing emerging star Plaintiff as their runner in the $1.65m showpiece.

Winner at 15 of 27 career starts, Plaintiff, trained by champion mentor Jason Thompson, joins inaugural The Phoenix winner Wow She’s Fast as guaranteed starters in Victoria’s first $1 million-to-the-winner event at The Meadows on December 17.

“The team at Neds is excited to be joining forces with Plaintiff and team Thompson for this year’s The Phoenix,” said Entain’s Director of Stakeholder Engagement Karl deKroo.

“Not only have we secured a hugely talented greyhound in Plaintiff but we’ve also enlisted the services of premier trainer Jason Thompson who is proven time and time again on the big stage.

“Making a call nice and early gives Jason the next seven weeks to ensure Plaintiff is cherry-ripe on the night, as well as giving Neds plenty of runway to promote the event for the betterment of the race and the broader industry.

“Neds is renowned as a young and innovative player in the market and we are thrilled to get behind The Phoenix concept which has quickly established itself on the sporting calendar.”

“We knew she was fast last year but her performance on the night even surprised us,” said Sportsbet’s Sean Ormerod.

Considered one of the brightest young sprint stars in training, Plaintiff launched his career with victory in the Group 3 Vic Breeders Maiden Series at The Meadows in February before going on to finish second to Wow She’s Fast in the Launching Pad at Sandown Park.

One of very few greyhounds to have broken the five-second first split mark at both The Meadows and Sandown Park, Plaintiff has started at The Meadows on five occasions for two dashing wins and a further two seconds. Hall-of-fame trainer in waiting Jason Thompson said he was delighted to be teaming up with bookmaker Neds ahead of this year’s The Phoenix.

“We couldn’t be happier to team up with Neds for a shot at this year’s The Phoenix with Plaintiff,” said Jason Thompson.

“Locking things in now means we can focus on having Plaintiff ready as can be for the big night. Everything we do from now on with him is aimed towards that.

“I always said it would be around the 30 start mark we’d start seeing the best of this dog and with everything he’s showing me now I’m sure that’s the case.

“He loves The Meadows and has that early speed you need which is so important in big races. There’s plenty of water to go under the bridge but I couldn’t be happier with where we are right now with him.

“And in the discussions I’ve had with Neds I’m really excited about the plans and content they’ve got in store to promote The Phoenix which is only good for the sport.”

Plaintiff is currently $7 in The Phoenix all-in markets. KEY DATES:

Final Field & Box Draw - Sunday 11 December

Reserves Announced - Wednesday 14 December

The Race Saturday - 17 December

For more information, please email thephoenix@grv.org.au

ARTICLE BY ADAM DOBBIN, THE GREYHOUND RECORDER