He has had plenty of golden moments to choose from but Fernando Bale’s latest victory in the Group 1 Sky Racing Topgun (525m) was perhaps the most pleasing yet, according to his connections.
Fernando Bale (pictured) scored his eighth Group 1 victory and the 11th Group title of his with a nail-biting victory in Saturday night’s $150,000-to-the-winner decider at The Meadows.
The Andrea Dailly-trained champion greyhound ($1.30) was the shortest-priced favourite in the race’s history but had to hold off a bold challenge from rival Kayda Shae to claim yet another title in a scorching 29.57.
Dailly’s brother-in-law and kennel spokesman George said he was delighted to taste victory in the prestigious race.
“I was just happy that (Fernando Bale) was able to perform to his ability. It was very satisfying to get the win,” Dailly said.
Starting from box one, Fernando Bale left the boxes like a bullet, but third favourite Kayda Shae ($9.70) pushed the champion all the way and finished only a neck behind in a thrilling finish.
“When they turned for home and Kayda Shae switched to the outside I thought, ‘hang on – what will happen here’,” Dailly said.
“Luckily Fernando held on. If you take Kayda Shae out of the race (though), Fernando (Bale) would have won by five or six lengths. It just shows that he can win when he’s under pressure.”
The win extended Fernando Bale’s prizemoney earnings to a shade over $1.1 million and took his overall record to 32 wins and four minor placings from 39 starts.
Fernando Bale’s kennelmate and second favourite Dyna Double One ($6.50) finished third with the ever-consistent Bessy Boo finishing fourth.
Fernando Bale‘s next assignment – and likely swansong - will likely be next month’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup.
Owner Paul Wheeler has indicated the son of Kelsos Fusileer and Chloe Allen will probably be retired to stud after that race, although Dailly maintained the greyhound is a “50-50” chance for the Ballarat Cup (460m) later in November.
“I’m trying to talk Paul into the Ballarat Cup, but he has the final word,” Dailly said.
“We would like him to race forever, but we just feel privileged to have had him in our kennels. He’s just a one-in-a-million greyhound.”
Meanwhile, super stayer Sweet It Is joined Fernando Bale in the '$1m club' with her brilliant victory in the Group 2 Stayers Topgun.
The Braden Finn-trained Victorian ($1.60F) produced one of her trademark come-from-behind wins to edge out NSW challenger Ada Mary in a brilliant finish.
Trailing by some ten lengths halfway round, Sweet It Is overtook Ada Mary in the closing stages to win in 42.54 and secure her seventh Group title.
The victory means Sweet It Is has become the second greyhound in history behind record-breaker Fernando Bale to pass the $1m prize money mark.
Ada Mary ($24.40) was a valiant second, with Lithgow Panther ($6.70) third.
