Hector Fawley shines again at Sandown in McKenna Memorial heats
Hector Fawley will be out to cement his reputation as one of Australia's most gifted middle-distance chasers when he lines in the Group 2 McKenna Memorial Final next Friday night at Sandown Park.
In Thursday's heats for the $40,000-to-the-winner contest, the Lisa Cockerell-trained dog lined up as a heavily backed favourite at $2.10 with online bookmakers.
Jumping from box five, he got out fairly before moving up to third and running on to pass leader Andre Bale on the final turn and win by 1.4 lengths in front of Sunnyside Zeus and Andre Bale.
He ran the Sandown 595m in 34.28, with his best time at the track and trip a blistering 33.64.
McKenna Memorial Heat 1 replay
Winner: Hector Fawley (34.28)
The Bernardo x Rolanda Hooch chaser has gone unplaced only once from his 11 starts, and after winning his heat in the Pink Diamond Series earlier this month he finished second behind Moraine Suzie in the final.
Rhino Bale took out the second heat of the McKenna Memorial, returning to the winner's circle for the first time since March.
The Samantha Grenfell chaser jumped from the three box straight to the front and went on to lead all the way and win by 1.10 lengths in a time of 34.25.
The $5.50 hope beat home the Mark Delbridge pair Valor Bale and Ailee Bale, who both laid down a challenge in the dying stages.
McKenna Memorial Heat 2 replay
Winner: Rhino Bale (34.25)
The record for the Fernando Bale x Fanta Bale dog at the track and trip is impressive, with five starts at the Sandown 595m for three wins and two second-placings.
The market for the McKenna Memorial Final has Hector Fawley as a $2.70 favourite and Rhino Bale at $9, with Valor Bale and Ailee Bale sharing the second line of betting at $3.50.