Melbourne Cup finalists by the numbers

It was a drama-filled night of racing on the most action-packed meeting of the year. Eight greyhounds punched their ticket to the TAB Melbourne Cup Final with Heat wins on Friday night.

The atmosphere surrounding the Heats was intense, and Friday’s final promises to be even better.

See all of the Heat winners below and how the races were won including their max speed, average speed and distance covered.

Click here for a wrap of the Heats
Click here for Friday’s fields
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Box 1 – Aussie Secret

In last week’s heat, Aussie Secret travelled 20.2 actual metres across the first 20 metres, highlighting his propensity to push off the track immediately after boxrise. He was at his brilliant best early, running 5.04 to the first mark, and he also reached a top speed of 69.7kph – the fastest among the eight finalists in Friday’s Melbourne Cup. Supported by the Dandenong Football & Netball Club in this year’s Community Sweep and jumping from the inside draw, Aussie Secret holds a crucial role in how Friday’s main event will play out.

Max speed: 69.7kph
Average speed: 63kph
Distance covered: 517.1m

TAB Odds: $8.00

Box 2 – Jepara

The first dead-heat ever in a heat of a Melbourne Cup, and what a race it was. Despite Koblenz’s signature early pace, Jepara gave his all, finishing with the best last split in the race (5.01) to create history. The quality of Jepara’s run was further highlighted by the fact that he completed the race in 519 metres – the most distance covered among all finalists. Representing Devon Meadows Football & Netball Club in the Community Sweep, Jepara is sure to have hearts in mouths once more on Friday as he lines up alongside Aussie Secret and Koblenz in Box 2.

Max speed: 68.3kph
Average speed: 63.5kph
Distance covered: 519m

TAB Odds: $17.00

Box 3 – Koblenz

Koblenz showed his customary early dash last week (2.14sec in first 20 metres), but was charged down by the fast-finishing Jepara. He spent 95 per cent of the race in front and did just enough to give trainer David Geall a chance to win his second Melbourne Cup. Koblenz will have his work cut out for him again on Friday, drawing directly inside of TAB Melbourne Cup favourite, Aston Rupee. Those at the Benalla Coursing Club will have high hopes for the clear second-elect in Friday’s final as they anticpiate taking out the Sandown GRC Community Sweep.

Max speed: 68.6kph
Average speed: 63.1kph
Distance covered: 515.3m

TAB Odds: $3.10

Box 4 – Aston Rupee

Aston Rupee showed his champion qualities after being held up for runs on numerous occasions last week, and at one stage it looked like his Melbourne Cup dream had been dashed. His last 85 metres was completed in 4.92 – the best among all Melbourne Cup heat winners. That split was necessary considering his difficult task of reeling in Harrigan and Fernando Bluey. His first split of 5.15 was the slowest among all heat winners, which is an area trainer Glenn Rounds will be hoping Rupee sharpens up this Friday considering he is drawn outside of both Aussie Secret and Koblenz. The Burden Park Bowling Club are in the box-seat to take home the $6000 Community Sweep first prize as they rest their hopes in Australia’s fastest greyhound.

Max speed: 68.3kph
Average speed: 63.2kph
Distance covered: 517.1m

TAB Odds: $2.40

Box 5 – Lala Kiwi

The Group 3 Cranbourne Classic winner decided that she was going to save the best till last, leading from go to whoa to record a new PB of 29.24 last Friday – the fastest of all eight qualifiers. The second of the Team Dailly runners will be the only female greyhound in this year’s Melbourne Cup, aiming to become the first female since Got A Moment in 2012 to win the world’s greatest race. Her average speed of 63.5kph was the third best among all heat winners. With plenty of pace drawn inside, Lala Kiwi and Heatherton Football & Netball Club will be wishing for some clear air at the first bend on Friday.

Max speed: 68.4kph
Average speed: 63.5kph
Distance covered: 515.8m

TAB Odds: $9.00

Box 6 – Lakeview Walter

The two-time Group winner set up his win last Friday with a great start and he was able to hunt up and hold out his rivals. From there, he was always going to be hard to beat, recording the best average speed of all Melbourne Cup heat winners, setting an average of 63.6kph. His overall time of 29.27 was also the second best of the night behind Lala Kiwi. This Friday comes bearing a difficult task for Lakeview Walter in Box 6 who will need to spear the lids to overcome the draw. Team Whelan, along with the Southern United Hockey Club, will be placing their faith in Walter to storm home in the world’s greatest race.

Max speed: 67.6kph
Average speed: 63.6kph
Distance covered: 517.1m

TAB Odds: $10.00

Box 7 – Tiberia Bale

Tiberia Bale waited until a heat of the Melbourne Cup to record his best first split ever (5.13) at Sandown, holding on for a gutsy victory over Barooga Smoke last Friday. Despite that, the son of Barcia Bale ranked in the bottom three for first split time, finishing time and average speed among the heat winners, meaning he will have to go to another level from the wide draw to give Team Dailly their third Melbourne Cup success. The Ballarat Women’s Cricket Club are certainly wishing on another special performance from Tiberia Bale as they hope to clean up in the Sandown GRC Community Sweep.

Max speed: 67.7kph
Average speed: 62.9kph
Distance covered: 516.9m

TAB Odds: $81.00

Box 8 – Kinson Bale

Kinson Bale proved that early speed is an attribute that is so vital in races of this quality. The son of Barcia Bale and Hae Allen was off and gone early last Friday, completing the first 20 metres in 2.12 to set up his 5.02 (best among heat winners), 18.69, 29.472 victory. It gives the Grenfell team back-to-back Melbourne Cup finalists. His max speed of 69.1kph was the second best among his rivals. The Skye Football & Netball Club will be relying on that lightning first split once more in their desires to take out the Community Sweep.

Max speed: 69.1kph
Average speed: 63.3kph
Distance covered: 517.9m

TAB Odds: $14.00

Top max speeds

Top average speeds