By MICHAEL FLOYD
FERNANDO Bale cemented his claim as Australia’s finest sprinter with an emphatic win in the $145,000 group 1 Harrison-Dawson at Sandown Park on Thursday evening.
After recording the second fastest time ever run at Sandown Park in last week’s heat, Fernando Bale drew the coveted box 1 for the final and was immediately posted record $1.15 favourite with tab.com.au.
Remarkably, he was backed into $1.05 – also a record – and didn’t disappoint those who took the short odds. Showing his trade mark exceptional speed at box rise, Fernando Bale had opened a two-length break on the field within meters of the start and was three lengths clear leaving the straight. That margin had opened to more than five lengths down the back straight and while the gallant Weston East ran on bravely to reduce the margin to three lengths, Fernando Bale would not be denied his third group-1 victory.
His time of 29.14 was the fastest ever recorded from box 1 and took three lengths off the race record. Amazingly, it was just the fourth fastest time Fernando Bale had recorded at Sandown Park.
“It’s amazing what good box manners and early toe can do,” his handler, George Dailly said.
“He just performs every week, you just can’t say that about most other dogs.”
The win was Fernando Bale’s ninth consecutive victory – all in top grade and all in the best time of the night – and took his career prize money to $517,390.
As well as building a formidable race record – he holds sectional records at the country’s three premier metropolitan tracks to go with his 17 race wins – Fernando Bale has won the admiration of the greyhound racing public, with a large crowd of eager onlookers gathered in the parade yard before and after the race to catch a glimpse of the striking white and brindle chaser.
Indeed, ‘Fernando Bale’ was a trending topic on Twitter in the lead up to the race, but despite it all, Fernando Bale remained completely unfazed by the extra attention.
“Nothing fazes him, he’s a total professional,” Dailly said.
“He has it all – brilliant early speed, amazing mid race pace and is strong at the end… and such a great temperament, he’s just a beautiful animal.”
Fernando Bale’s next assignment is the $36,000 group 3 Bill Collins at Sandown Park on Thursday evening.
The Harrison-Dawson was the highlight of a big card of greyhound racing at Sandown Park. Earlier in the night, Lamia Bale claimed her third group race win at Sandown Park when leading all of the way to win the group 1 Sapphire Crown and give Steve Collins his first victory at the top level of the sport.
In the heats of the RSN Sandown Cup, Space Star recorded the second fastest time ever over the 715m distance with a stunning display of sustained speed – his 12-length win in 41.26 almost 10 lengths faster than the next fastest heat winner, Lady Toy. Defending champion Sweet It Is also won her heat, as did Unix Bale, setting up what promises to be an outstanding final this Thursday.
