The connections of Australia’s best sprinter, Fernando Bale, say he will be at his best for Saturday night’s Group 1 Ladbrokes National Sprint Championship (520m) at Wentworth Park.
Fernando Bale (pictured) returns to Wentworth Park for the first time since taking out the Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic in June, aiming to add another Group 1 title to his impressive resumé.
And while Fernando Bale is undoubtedly the one to beat in the National Sprint Championship, he will need to bounce back from a rare defeat at his last race start.
The Andrea Dailly-trained greyhound only qualified for Saturday’s feature event – a race which pits qualifiers from every state in Australia – via a wild card after he could only managed a third place in the Victorian Sprint Final.
In addition to the defeat, Fernando Bale will also have to overcome box five in the National Sprint Championship.
Despite the concerns, Fernando Bale’s handler George Dailly believes the superstar is still the one to beat.
“To be honest, I’m not that fussed with the draw,” he said.
“I would rather have the yellow than the red at Wentworth Park any day. I’m not sure what it is but they don’t seem to ping the lids from the inside a lot of the time at Wentworth Park. If you miss the start in a race like this, they’re gone.
“He’s looking good and should be absolutely right for Saturday.”
Bookmakers agree with Dailly with Sportsbet listing Fernando Bale as the $1.60 favourite in its early market.
On the second line of betting is Keybow (box three, $3.60), who will represent Queensland on Saturday night.
Trained by Tony Brett, Keybow has been in consistent form of late at Albion Park consistently running good times. He is drawn well also having four wins and three minor placings from seven previous starts when jumping from box three.
NSW representative Bessy Boo (box two, $6), will command plenty of local support after his super win in the NSW Sprint Final last Saturday night, while Victorian greyhound Margins (box eight, $9) – who defeated Fernando Bale at his last start – is also among the leading contenders.
Group 1 Ladbrokes National Sprint Championships (520m) Box Draw (Sportsbet fixed odds prices in brackets): 1. Jack Kade ($31) 2. Bessy Boo ($6) 3. Keybow ($3.60) 4. Nero Bolt ($17) 5. Fernando Bale ($1.60) 6. Breaker’s Tip ($26) 7: Alex’s Entity ($51) 8: Margins ($9). Reserves: 9: Tap Out Rose ($31) 10 La Grand Logie ($31).
Prices correct at time of writing.
