By MICHAEL FLOYD
GREYHOUND Irma Bale defended her RSN Sandown Cup by holding off a fast-finishing Bell Haven and the gallant Miata in one of the most exciting finishes in the race’s rich history on Thursday night.
In front of the biggest Sandown Cup crowd in many years, retiring champion Miata was sent to the boxes as favourite — just the second time in her 51-start career that she started “in the black”.
But it was Irma Bale who flew the boxes to take a commanding lead, passing the post the first time.
Irma Bale turned off the back straight with a three-length lead as Destini Fireball set off in pursuit.
Miata had recovered from a poor start to begin her run along the rail. Tasmanian star Bell Haven switched to outside to make her run.
In a frantic run to the line, Irma Bale did enough to hold off Bell Haven by half a head, with Miata just a further head away in third in 42.10. Just 2¾ lengths separated the first seven runners over the line.
Irma Bale trainer Graeme Bate praised his winning greyhound. “It was a super run. She’s a special greyhound,” Bate said. “She just gives her all every start.
“To hold off a field like that was just a courageous effort.”
Irma Bale became the fourth greyhound to win successive Sandown Cups. The others were Paul’s Thunder (1970-71), Lizrene (1972-73) and Bold Trease (1986-89).
The $125,000 winner’s cheque took her prizemoney to $541,801 and moved into fifth place in the all-time Australian prizemoney list.
Miata retires with a record that may never be matched: her $715,508 in prizemoney is an Australian record.
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