Fanta Bale will be chasing her seventh group title in Thursday’s group 2 McKenna Memorial final at Sandown Park.
It’s often discussed how difficult it is to win from wide draws over the middle distance, not difficult enough to halt the brilliance of Fanta Bale. She jumped well from box 8 in heat 2 and settled eight lengths behind early leader Zipping Hawk. As they turned for home Zipping Hawk’s break was quickly grinded down as Fanta Bale stormed by to win by ¾ of a length in 34.45.
“She’s a quality greyhound. The box draw was probably against her, being out there in box 8 on a bend start is never easy. She was forced to do a bit of work to find a position on the rail then still had a bit of ground to make up,” said Rob Britton kennel representative Peter Riley post-race.
If Fanta Bale is to win in next week’s $58,000 final it would take her prize money tally to a staggering $844,690.
“There’s quicker middle distance dogs around but you won’t see many try as hard as she does. She’s not a track record breaker, just a very professional race dog.”
The fastest heat win came from Bella Shima for Brooke and Jamie Ennis who set a scorching 34.07 – six lengths quicker than Fanta Bale.
Bella Shima began fairly before she swooped around the outside to take the lead. Dundee Osprey was in hot pursuit throughout but there was too much work to be done, Bella Shima romped in by 8¼ lengths.
Cheese Ya Later took out the opening heat at odds of $20 for Darren and Simone Fisher – Shima Song was a close 2nd cementing her spot in the final.
Midnight Elsa and She’s Got Grace also gained a berth in the final being the two fastest thirds.
The $40,000 to-the-winner McKenna Memorial has always brought together an exceptional field and this year is no exception – see box draw below. Thursday night will also be highlighted by the second week of the Club’s popular Dollars for Dinner promotion.
Click here for last night’s results
: Fanta Bale with Peter Riley post-race
