Fernando Bale can confirm his status as the best greyhound to ever race in Australia by taking out the Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup (515m) this Friday night.
The Andrea Dailly-trained greyhound (pictured) qualified for Friday’s final with a 29.06 win in his heat in which he showed his trademark early speed to lead all the way and register a 12-length victory.
Fernando Bale will now jump from box six in the cup and has been priced at $1.40 in early betting markets. A win on Friday would be his 12th at Group level, ninth Group 1, and 34th of his career from just the 41 starts.
Kennel spokesman George Dailly said Fernando Bale pulled up well from his heat run and would be ready to go for the cup.
While there is talk that Friday night could be the last race start for Fernando Bale before he goes to stud, Dailly said there was still the possibility Fernando Bale’s career could continue past this race, but the decision is in the hands of owner Paul Wheeler.
“We’ll just worry about Friday night though first and then maybe talk to Paul about the Ballarat Cup,” he said.
“I know (Victorian studmaster) Paul Westerveld has said that Fernando Bale will go to his property
“It will certainly be a sad moment if he does retire, but ultimately it’s Paul Wheeler’s decision.
“I know Paul Westerveld has a magnificent property. If Fernando Bale does retire, I might retire there myself and move in with Fernando.”
While all the attention during the heats was on Fernando Bale, his kennelmate, Dyna Double One qualified for the final with an even faster time than the champion, stopping the clock at 29.05.
Dyna Double One ($2.50 for the final) will jump from box two in the Melbourne Cup, a draw George Dailly says will suit.
“The draw helps Dyna Double One but the final is a hard race,” he said.
“Dyna Double One got to the lead early in his race - I don’t think he’s done that in his life before. I expect him to have a few greyhounds in front of him this Friday.
“We certainly won’t be concentrating on Fernando this week. We will just treat them both the same, prepare them as best we can and do what’s right by them.”
Of the other qualifiers for the Melbourne Cup, Secret Spell (box eight, $15) ran a strong 29.34 from box four to win her heat and must be considered.
She defeated Fernando Bale at the Meadows earlier this year and with two victories and a placing from box eight could cause an upset if the leading pair encounter trouble.
Of the rest, Lamia Bale ($41) looms as potentially the best roughie chance after scoring a 29.42 win in the heats.
The three-time Group winning veteran has scored three wins and four minor placings in 10 starts from box seven and loves Sandown Park, with 14 victories at the track.
Bearville Azza, Dyna Tiber, Zipping Meg and Black Illusion complete the field.
Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup Box Draw (Sportsbet Prices in brackets) 1, Bearville Azza ($21) 2. Dyna Double One ($3) 3. Dyna Tiber ($15) 3. Zipping Meg ($31) 5. Black Illusion ($81)
6. Fernando Bale ($1.40) 7. Lamia Bale ($41) 8. Secret Spell ($15). Reserves: 9. Sacramento Sal ($81), 10. Blue Revolver ($21).
This Friday night’s action at Sandown Park will also feature the final of the Group 1 Bold Trease Carnival Cup (715m) for stayers.
Luna Jinx set the time standard of 41.94 in last Friday’s heats and looks well drawn in box seven for the $100,000-to-the-winner final.
She has won twice and placed once in her six starts from this draw and with three wins from her last five starts looks in top form for the final.
Prices correct at the time of writing.
