Caption: The flying Aussie Rocks sizzles home to win the Melbourne Cup final (Photo: BlueStream Pictures)

By BRENNAN RYAN

TASMANIAN-bred chaser Aussie Rocks has etched his name to the most famous trophy in greyhound racing with a remarkable victory in the recent Group 1 Melbourne Cup Final (515m) at Sandown Park.

In a race filled with drama, Aussie Rocks landed the $650,000 winner’s cheque, handing trainer Geoff Mitchell and proud owners Ray Brittain, Paul Young and Loretta McShane their greatest thrill.

“Just totally unbelievable – completely lost for words,” Mitchell told Racing.com post-race.

“When he (Aussie Rocks) got into third down the back and railed up, he is a very strong dog, if we could get anywhere near them turning for home he could rail underneath them. I can’t describe it, just unbelievable.”

Setting up an early lead was Idolize with trouble behind, Mac’s Damage and Aussie Rocks landing on the back of the leader, with race favourite Big Energy moving into fourth after overcoming early trouble out of the first turn.

With the challengers coming fast, Aussie Rocks took the shortest way home along the rails to land the victory, scoring by a half-length in 29.55s from box five from Big Energy and Mac’s Damage taking the minor spoils.

Young and McShane flew from Hobart for the iconic moment.

The son of Aussie Infrared out of Amlin Jewel landed his first Group race triumph after his runner-up effort in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship Grand Final (525m) at The Meadows back in August.

The cup win took Aussie Rock’s record to 16 wins from 37 starts and $767,935 in stakes.

“He’s the best dog I’ve ever trained in 45 years,” a very emotional Spotswood-based Mitchell said.

“This is what early starts, and late nights are really all about, trying to have dogs in these Melbourne Cups.”