George Dailly is confident a lack of pre-race trialling will be no barrier to Fernando Bale’s chances of success in tonight's Group 1 Classic Triple M Adelaide Cup (520m) heats.
The superstar Victorian jumps from box three in the fifth of five heats of the $75,000-to-the-winner series aiming to take a step closer to a remarkable 10th Group title of 2015.
This is a first competitive run for ‘Flying Fernando’, who will become the first greyhound to break the $1m mark in prize money, since his victory in the Group 2 Traralgon Cup decider on September 5.
He has also never previously raced at Angle Park but kennel spokesman Dailly said he was sure his star greyhound would go well tonight.
“I don’t think it’s worth trialling a greyhound like him with him,” Dailly said. “We’ve seen what he can do (so) there’s no point risking injury.
“He’s been taking it nice and easy since Traralgon. He’s in good shape and there’s no problems with him.
“Obviously there’s some really good greyhounds involved in a series like this, but we know what Fernando can do. As long as he gets out clearly, he should be fine.”
Fernando Bale has a super record from this draw, with four wins and a placing from six starts.
He will face some formidable opposition here, though, including Weblec Belle (box four) and Blurred Lines in box six.
Weblec Belle won the group 3 Brian Johnstone here last year and is in good form, with four wins and three minor placings from her last 10 starts.
Blurred Lines (box seven) ran a strong 29.74 here on September 1, while local newcomer It’s Classified (box eight) ran 29.53 here in July and also looks dangerous.
A host of top-quality greyhounds, including Fernando Bale’s kennelmates Elfen Bale and Dyna Double One also feature in the heats.
Elfen Bale won the recent Group 3 SA Oaks at Angle Park, while Dyna Double One ran a brilliant 29.30 here earlier this month.
Star Victorians Shared Equity (box two) and Kayda Shae (box six), winner of this year’s Group 2 Cyril Rowe Bulli Gold Cup, feature in heat three alongside Elfen Bale.
Among the other eye-catching contenders in the heats is Fever Pitch, who jumps from his favourite box eight in the second heat.
Rinaldo Divirgilio’s greyhound won the recent Group 3 SA Derby in terrific fashion and has a perfect five wins from five wearing the pink rug.
In-form local Scarp Missile (box six, heat one) and Valladares (box three, heat four), who ran a brilliant 29.74 here earlier this month, also look dangers.
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