Graeme Bates Dominance Of Victorian Greyhound Racing Continues In Vic Sprint Champs
Graeme Bate has continued his amazing run in 2011, with six greyhounds from the master trainer's kennel qualifying for next Saturday's State Sprint Final over 525 metres at The Meadows.
The sextet includes five owned by the Wheeler family, who emulated Bate's feat after the Andrea Dailly-trained Dyna Tron also qualified for next week's clash.
The most impressive winner from the six heats was Golden Easter Egg champ Radley Bale, who returned to form with a stirring Best of Night 29.84 gallop. The son of Big Daddy Cool and Minkara Bale will start from box three in next week's final.
Three-time Group winner Tonneli Bale will start from box eight after a come-from-behind 30.04 heat win from the same draw. Bate's other finalists include Allen Lawson (30.14), Allen Elroy (second in 30.09), Allen Hertz (second in 29.96) and Chief Bambury (30.02).
The Jamie Ennis-trained Dino Ferrari was one of three winning greyhounds to break the 30-second barrier on Saturday, showing his customary strength with a barnstorming 29.90 win. The son of Bit Chili and Thanks Blue will start from box seven in Saturday's final.
The State Sprint final winner from Victoria will take on the country's best sprinters in the Group 1 Macro Meats National Sprint Championship at Albion Park on August 25, this year worth $75,000 to the winner.
They will be joined by fellow Victorian Kilty Lad, who will gain a wildcard entry into the Group 1 final as the country's number one AGRA ranked greyhound.
2011 Victorian National Sprint Championship Final
Box 1 – Allen Lawson – Graeme Bate – 29.86
Box 2 – Allen Elroy – Graeme Bate – 29.87
Box 3 – Radley Bale – Graeme Bate – 29.84
Box 4 – Dyna Tron – Andrea Dailly – 29.89
Box 5 – Allen Hertz – Graeme Bate – 29.94
Box 6 – Chief Bambury – Graeme Bate – 30.02
Box 7 – Dino Ferrari – Jamie Ennis – 29.90
Box 8 – Tonneli Bale – Graeme Bate – 30.02
1st Res – Cosmic Cooper – Darren Brown – 30.16
2nd Res – Carol Allen – Graeme Bate – 29.86