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Champion greyhound Fernando Bale is at rock bottom odds to take out a 12th Group title in this evening’s Group 2 Energis Ballarat Cup (450m).
Fernando Bale (pictured, $1.10 with Sportsbet) will jump from box three in tonight’s cup following a dominant 24.88 victory in his heat last week and his connections are confident he can win again tonight.
Kennel spokesman Tom Dailly said his superstar greyhound was in great shape for tonight’s race.
“He’s looking fine,” Dailly said. “He’s had a good week of preparation – I’ve no complaints with him.
“It’s not a bad box and it’s business as normal for him as regards preparation.”
Fernando Bale, who has almost $1.3 million prize money to his name, has the remarkable record of 34 wins and five minor placings from 42 starts and looks virtually unbeatable in the cup tonight.
Familiar foe Shared Equity (box eight) has tested the champion before and Dailly agreed Angela Langton’s greyhound looked the strongest opponent tonight.
“Shared Equity is beautifully drawn and with his brilliant start, you know he’s a huge danger,” Dailly said.
“It’s another race where Fernando cannot put a foot wrong. He will certainly have to start like he normally does and come out humming.
“(But) he came back brilliantly last week and we hope he can do the same again.”
Victory here would be yet another major title for champion greyhound’s all-conquering Dailly kennel, who scored a win in Thursday night’s Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup with Dyna Double One. It was the second Group 1 victory for Dyna Double One after he defeated Fernando Bale last month to win the Melbourne Cup.
Dailly, meanwhile, also reiterated that Fernando Bale will now likely continue racing until January’s Group 1 Paws of Thunder at Wentworth Park.
“At the end of the day it’s Paul’s decision, but obviously it will be great to work for him for a bit longer,” Dailly said.
“You don’t struggle for motivation when you can work with special greyhounds like him, that’s for sure.”
The Group 2 Energis Ballarat Cup is race eight on the card and jumps at 9.28pm.
For Sportsbet's prices on the meeting, click here.
Meanwhile, one of the Dailly kennel’s next potential stars, Snakebite Bale, jumps from box seven in race two (450m).
The son of David Bale and Crystin Bale has already scored an impressive 29.55 win at Sandown Park and looks an exciting prospect.
Group 2 Energis Ballarat Cup Box Draw (Sportsbet Prices in Brackets): 1. Alpha Zeus ($41) 2. Rivergum Drive ($21) 3. Fernando Bale ($1.10) 4 Ballerino ($41) 5. Unlawful Entry ($26) 6. Magic Spring ($18) 7. Amaro Bale ($26) 8. Shared Equity ($8).
Prices correct at the time of writing.
