Greyhound racing may have unveiled its next superstars at Sandown Park tonight with Heston Bale defeating Bekim Bale in a stunning track record breaking performance.
Bekim Bale was sent to the boxes as favourite for the night’s opening event – a maiden final – after he became the fastest maiden winner at the track in his heat last Sunday afternoon heat. Heston Bale qualified two lengths slower than his kennel and littermate, but jumped brilliantly from box 1 to lead through the first turn.
Extending its lead at every turn, Heston Bale eventually stopped the clock at 29.14 seconds, slashing a stunning 2.5 lengths off Iso Octane’s previous track record.
Bekim Bale finished two lengths away in second with Whispering Wind a further 14.5 lengths adrift in third.
It was an stunning performance for a greyhound having just its second race start, and remarkably handler George Dailly believes the greyhound could faster again.
“Their first section tonight was probably a little bit quicker than what I thought they could do,” said Dailly.
“Their last sectional is absolutely phenomenal, and I probably shouldn’t say this, but they will probably get faster as well.”
While the immediate plan is to move through the grades with pair, Dailly made it clear the kennel has grander plans for the youngsters.
“They’ll head towards the Melbourne Cup. They’ll definitely run in a Melbourne Cup Prelude in couple of weeks and we’ll see how they go.”
The first Solo Melbourne Cup Prelude Series will be run at Sandown Park on Thursday 22 September. The winner of each Prelude earning a berth in the Solo Melbourne Cup heats on Thursday 10 November, with the $200,000 to-the-winner Group 1 final to be run on Thursday 17 November.
