Gibbons big on Kelsey Bale ahead of Bogie Leigh Futurity
Daniel Gibbons believes there isn't another greyhound in Australia who has the explosive pace of Kelsey Bale.
He might be on the money – it was like she was shot out of a cannon on the back straight on the way to her stunning Group 2 Laurels Classic Final win at Sandown last Thursday night.
This should hold her in good stead for the Bogie Leigh Futurity at Albion Park with the final on January 5, after her 2 ¼-length victory in a scorching time of 29.35 seconds over the 515m distance.
“It was a really good run,” Gibbons told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“Her mid-race pace is ridiculous. I honestly don't think there's another dog around at the moment who can match her.
“Her form of late has been really good.”
2022 Laurels Classic Final replay – Kelsey Bale (1st)
Her impressive last-start victory should have Kelsey Bale in good shape for the $75,000 feature for two-year-old bitches in Brisbane, with the heats on December 29, along with kennelmate and fellow young gun Yahiro Bale.
The SA Oaks winner saluted by almost a length in the Whiskey Riot Classic on Phoenix Night at The Meadows on the weekend.
“It should be a good year next year for her and Yahiro,” Gibbons said.
“They're both heading off to Queensland, so I'll be heading up there in January.
“You've got to be in it to win it.
“We've got a good bunch of dogs at the moment, so it should be a good year.”
If Kelsey Bale can improve her starts, the sky is the limit for her, according to Gibbons.
She was sluggish out of her No.3 box last week, before her stunning burst of speed on the back stretch set up a comfortable victory.
It hasn't been for lack of trying for both Daniel and Rebecca Gibbons.
“She jumps every now and then, but if I can get her to jump every race she'd be a very hard dog to beat,” Gibbons said.
“We're doing our best, but nothing seems to be working. It's either in them or it's not.
“I think it's whatever mood she's in on the night, and whether she can just get the timing right.
“It's just her initial jump out of the box. After that first five to 10 metres, that's when she really takes off.”
Meanwhile, Gibbons said Emani Bale had a bit to work on after her last place in the Sale Cup Heat 1 – won by Melbourne Cup winner Yachi Bale for Mark Delbridge in 37.08 seconds over 650m – on Sunday.
Gibbons' three-year-old bitch finished in 38.27 seconds.
“She's a weird one. She just likes to cling onto the rails,” he said.
“If there's nothing in her way, she can run a really good race and sneak up for a win.
“But if anything parks in front of her, she doesn't really have the smarts to go around them.
“She'll just kind of follow.”
And the young Victorian conditioner said he was delighted with Titan Blazer's fourth in the Melbourne Cup Final at Sandown on November 26.
“He did really well. The calibre of dogs he was against – to stick with them and get fourth, we were absolutely rapt with that,” he said.