A severe and violent electrical storm certainly didn’t deter the absolute quality evening of chasing action during Friday’s rich TAB Melbourne Cup meeting at Sandown Park.

Pictured: The classy Aston Dee Bee dashing to his strong win in Friday’s TAB Melbourne Cup (photo by Clint Anderson, Blue Stream Photos)

Racing had to be deferred, which was most definitely the correct decision, for around an hour when the storm hit just after the running of race six. The large on course crowd was treated to a spectacular lightning and thunder display. The greyhound track remained in superb order.

The TAB Melbourne Cup carried a stake of A$600,000, making it the world’s richest greyhound race. The $2.40 race favourite Aston Dee Bee, prepared by Seona Thompson, was presented with a clear racing passage around the first turn. He didn’t require a second invitation as he quickly seized the race lead when heading into the back straight and he scampered clear for his decisive victory.

Two races earlier the Robbie Britton trained outstanding stayer Fanta Bale become greyhound racing’s third millionaire greyhound when she stylishly won the A$145,000 Bold Trease at Group 1 level over the 715m staying distance. Her victory took her career earnings up to $1,094,170 to join Fernando Bale ($1.29M) and Dyna Double One ($1.16M) in the million dollar club.

   
Trainer Seona Thompson and family members with the TAB Melbourne Cup winner Aston Dee Bee; Fanta Bale seen here taking her career stake earnings to over a million dollars; Fanta Bale’s stakes milestone was recognised when she was presented with a special dress rug - trainer Robbie Britton is bottom right; it was a massive crowd who attended the Melbourne Cup meeting – here’s a portion on those who lined the home straight (photos by Clint Anderson, Blue Stream Photos)

By Peter Fenemor