Australian greyhound racing’s next star overcomes horrible start to win again
The rising young star of Australian greyhound racing has produced yet another amazing performance to win at his third race start and remain undefeated.
But at box-rise, it appeared all hope for the -125 race favourite would be left at the boxes when Cain Bale went up with the lids.
Coming out of the boxes in last place in the 6/7th Grade 525m race at The Meadows, Cain Bale showed outstanding pace to drive between runners and be midfield by the time they went past the finishing post the first time.
Astoundingly, Cain Bale was able to keep improving and sit third as they exited the first corner.
From there, the son of Feral Franky and champion stayer Fanta Bale was always going to win.
Going after leader Oregon Durant, Cain Bale had him by the home corner and came away to win in 30.01, beating the second greyhound across the line by 1.99 lengths.
The Meadows 6/7th Grade Oct. 14, 2023 – Cain Bale (30.01) T: Mark Delbridge
All three of Cain Bale's career runs now have been extraordinary performances.
On Wednesday, September 27, Cain Bale led most of the way on his debut at The Meadows to record a very fast 29.81 win.
He then missed the start in the maiden final, and came from last to win the final in 30.21.
While the first two starts were stark in contrast to the winning efforts, the third start does seem to start developing a pattern for the rising Mark Delbridge-trained greyhound.
Much like his champion mother, Cain Bale is blessed with stamina and speed that will surely see him running over middle-distances and staying races in the not-too-distant future.
Champion-staying bitch Fanta Bale retired in 2018 with a then Australian greyhound prizemoney record of $1,365,175 earned over 63 starts that netted 42 wins and 14 minor placings.
Among her 42 wins were nine Group 1 titles, from the Meadows 525m Australian Cup title right through to her last Super Stayers final over 730m at The Meadows, now renamed the Fanta Bale Super Stayers.
But record-breaking success on the track doesn't always equate to high success in the breeding barn.
Cain Bale is from Fanta Bale's fourth mating, which was to Feral Franky for the first time and resulted in a litter of four dogs and three bitches whelped in October 2021.
Bred by Brendan Wheeler, all but one of the litter have been sent to Delbridge to train.
While the majority of the litter has only had 2-3 starts, Cain Bale is the sole winner so far.
Cain Bale has now had three career starts, all at The Meadows over 525m, winning in 29.81, 30.21, and now 30.01.
He has so far won $7,800 in prizemoney for connections, but that should quickly head toward six-figures if the budding superstar stays sound.