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Superstar greyhound Fernando Bale is coming along nicely ahead of his bid for yet another feature race in the tonight’s heats of the Group 2 Traralgon Cup (525m).
‘Flying Fernando’ (pictured) starts his bid for an incredible ninth Group crown jumping from box four in the third of three heats of the $45,000-to-the-winner series.
The amazing son of Kelsos Fusileer and Chloe Allen trialled in 30.40 at Traralgon last Saturday night – the second best time of the night.
Kennel spokesman George Dailly was content with that performance ahead of the heat, which will see him face opposition including kennelmate Lektra Outlaw (box one).
“His time wasn’t anything brilliant but there was nothing wrong with him,” Dailly said.
“He has limited experience of Traralgon and he needed to see the track before the heats, so that’s why we gave him this run.
“He looked good and ready to go again.”
Fernando Bale’s victory in last month’s Group 1 National Sprint Championship at Wentworth Park extended his career record to 27 wins and four minor placings from 34 starts.
Regarded by many as one of the sport’s all-time great, a win in this series would take Fernando Bale over the $900,000 prizemoney mark as he approaches a likely retirement to stud.
Fernando Bale has two wins from two previous starts wearing the blue rug and Dailly is confident his greyhound can make it three here.
“He’ll have to ping the lids from this draw,” he said. “That’s another reason we’re glad he’s had a run there.
“It’s good Lektra Outlaw is in box one as he will likely show some early speed and drag Fernando with him. You can’t be over-confident but I do expect him to get through this one.”
Dailly said they were still planning future races for Fernando Bale, but has previously stated the star greyhound will likely be retired after November’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup.
Fernando Bale and Lektra Outlaw are among a handful of entrants from the gun Dailly kennel in the three heats.
Some of Victoria’s best greyhounds are involved here, with other notable entrants including multiple Group winning pair Luca Neveelk (box two, heat two) and Clash of Kings (box six, heat three).
Kel Greenough’s Rivergum Drive (box eight, heat one) looks a decent series bolter.
He has been running consistently since transferring to Greenough’s Victorian kennels and has one win and two minor placings from four previous starts wearing the pink rug.
Check out Sportsbet’s odds for the Traralgon Cup by clicking here.
