By MICHAEL FLOYD
FERNANDO Bale is the best greyhound in the country.
That was the verdict following the striking white and brindle’s comprehensive victory at Sandown Park last night.
For the 15th time in 19 starts, Fernando Bale was sent to the boxes as the race favourite and soon showed the traits that have the greyhound racing world abuzz.
Jumping cleanly from box six, Fernando Bale crossed Sisco Rage to lead through the first turn, then accelerated away from the field, running to within a length of the second split record before powering to the line and stopping the clock at 29.10 – the fastest time at the View Road circuit in 2015.
“He’s probably the best race dog I’ve ever had,” kennel representative George Dailly said.
“It’s quite amazing really, he’s got that speed early and strength at the end.
“It’s a wonderful combination, you don’t get them like that very often.”
The Dailly kennel is no strangers to fast dogs. In recent years, the Daillys have prepared Group-1 winners Dyna Tron, Allen Deed, Ollie Bale, Spud Regis, Grigorieva Bale and Dyna Lachlan, as well Sandown track record holder Bekim Bale and litter brother and former Meadows track record holder Heston Bale.
“A lot of dogs are one dimensional – they can lead or they come from behind – but he (Fernando Bale) can do both,” Dailly said.
“In his heat of the Golden Easter Egg I thought he was gone, next thing you know he’s five lengths in front… he’s a very good chaser.”
Ominously, at just 25 months of age Fernando Bale – form and fitness permitting – could have another 12 months (or more) of top class racing in front of him.
He already has two Group-1 titles to his name and with last night’s win, he passed $400,000 in prize money – moving to 35th position on the all-time Australian prize money list.
While owner Paul Wheeler flirted with the idea of retiring the speedster to stud following his Golden Easter Egg triumph, Fernando Bale’s next assignment will be the rich Sandown Autumn Carnival with almost $150,000 up for grabs for the sprinters.
The Sandown Autumn Carnival kicks off on Thursday 30 April and culminates with the RSN Sandown Cup on Thursday 21 May. The four weeks of outstanding greyhound racing carries more than $800,000 in prize money across eight black type races.
