Irma Bale & Lektra Jay Dominate Victorian National Distance Championship Final
The Graeme Bate-trained Irma Bale looks the greyhound to beat in next Saturday night’s State Distance Final at The Meadows after drawing perfectly in box one.
The daughter of Bartrim Bale and Amelia Bale showed her customary early speed in last night’s heat, recording splits of 4.88, 15.94 and 29.69 before a three quarter-length victory over litter sister and main series rival Fyna Bale in a Best of Night 42.82, which was also a new PB for the two-time Group winner.
Irma Bale will start a hot favourite to represent Victoria in the Group 1 Wrest Point National Distance Championship, to be held at Hobart on August 25 over 709 metres.
The second and final heat was taken out by Group-winning chaser Lektra Jay, running down tearaway leader Yowyeh in the shadows of the post in 43.12. The son of Where’s Pedro is part of a two-pronged attack for trainer Andrea Dailly in next Saturday’s final.
Irma Bale was part of a big night for the Wheeler family, owning nine of the 12 winners on Saturday night.
Victorian State National Distance Championship Final (725m)
Winner goes through to National final.
Box 1 – Irma Bale – Graeme Bate – 42.82
Box 1 – Karanji – Angela Langton – 42.90
Box 1 – Double Champ – Tina Womann – 42.99
Box 1 – Mission Complete – Michelle Mallia-Magri – 42.87
Box 1 – Fyna Bale – Andrea Dailly – 42.73
Box 1 – Lektra Jay – Andrea Dailly – 43.12
Box 1 – Yowyeh – Angela Langton – NBT
Box 1 – Mimicking – Robert Britton – NBT
1st Res – Czar (Res) – Robert Britton – NBT
2ns Res – Erica Allen (Res) – Andrea Dailly – NBT