Blue Kermaro triumphs in historic Group 1 Paul Wheeler Final
Blue Kermaro produced a career-defining performance to claim the 2024 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best Final at Wentworth Park, showcasing grit and class to secure the $75,000 prize with a commanding time of 29.40 seconds.
The Josh Formosa-trained star stamped his authority on the prestigious event, adding another milestone to an already glittering resume that includes victory in the $1 million Chase earlier this year.
Breaking smartly from box two, Blue Camaro quickly settled behind early leader Gets Late Early before making his move down the back straight.
With a powerful surge, the $3.10 bookmaker favourite took the lead and never looked back, bounding home to defeat Gets Late Early by 1.75 lengths. Zipping Chapman claimed third, while Sammy Ethan rounded out the top four.
2024 Paul Wheeler Race Replay – Blue Kermaro (29.40)
Post-race, trainer Josh Formosa reflected on the magnitude of the moment. “I never thought this would happen,” Formosa said.
“He showed so much toughness down the back when I thought he might be in trouble. He pushed through a gap, hit the front, and just proved too strong.”
Blue Kermaro’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of remarkable.
Purchased for just $10,000, the son of Barcia Bale has gone on to amass over $1 million in prize money.
“It’s hard to believe,” Formosa admitted. “I’ve paid more for dogs before, but this one has been unreal. He’s still young, and I think he’s just hitting his prime. There’s no saying what he can achieve over the next 12 months.”
The significance of winning the first race named in honor of the late Paul Wheeler wasn’t lost on Formosa.
“This means so much to me, my partner Corey, and her family,” he said. “The Dailys have trained so many great dogs for the Wheeler family, and to win this race with Blue Camaro is incredibly special.”
The journey to the track on race day added another layer of drama, as Formosa detailed the hurdles he faced.
“We got stuck in traffic for over an hour, and then we had a flat tire. I thought about turning back at one point,” he said with a laugh.
“But we pushed through, and it paid off.”
Blue Kermaro’s victory cements his place among Australia’s elite greyhounds and sets the stage for an exciting future.
With major targets like the Golden Easter Egg on the horizon, Formosa is optimistic about what lies ahead.
“He loves this track, and there are so many opportunities coming up,” he said.
“We’ll just keep him sound and see what he can knock off next.”
The Paul Wheeler Final was a fitting tribute to one of the sport’s greatest contributors, and Blue Kermaro’s triumph will forever be etched in its history.
Paul Wheeler Simply The Best 2024 Results – Wentworth Park
2024 Paul Wheeler ResultsWentworth Park 520m Group 1 $75,000 to-the-winner Saturday, December 21, 2024
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| 1st |
2 Blue Kermaro
T: Joshua FormosaTime: 29.40Margin:
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| 2nd |
8 Gets Late Early
T: Melinda FinnTime: 29.52Margin: 1.75 Lengths
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| 3rd | |
| 4th |
6 Sammy Ethan
T: Mark GattTime: 29.75Margin: 5 Lengths
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| 5th |
9 Kangaroo Jack (Box 3)
T: Sydney SwainTime: 29.82Margin: 6 Lengths
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6th |
1 Paw Oswald
T: Mark DelbridgeTime: 30.06Margin: 9.25 Lengths
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| 7th |
5 Boston Banner
T: Barry GibbonsTime: 30.18Margin: 11 Lengths
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| 8th |
7 You Never Lose
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