Paul Wheeler’s Bale’s Dominate SA Derby Final
Victorian youngster Turanza Bale overcame some early trouble to storm home with a most impressive win in the Group 2 Coca Cola SA Derby last Thursday night. Sent to the boxes a $7.50 chance from box five he accounted for fellow Victorians Kendale Bale ($3.60) and Juddua Bale ($6.40).
In an even series, prior to the final the two semi final winners were Victorians Premier Moment who recorded 29.85 and Queenslander Spiral Glory trained in Victoria by Tina Woman for Paul Felgate he had ran a best of the night 29.75.
The locals were pinning their hopes on Manhattan Angel, Uncle Remus and Quinton Bale. However the five Victorian trained finalists looked the ones to be beat and that's exactly how it finished.
Manhattan Angel was best to begin with the favourite Spiral Glory in hot pursuit Turanza Bale was as he usually is slow out and back with only Uncle Remus behind him. In a roughly run affair dogs were checking in running and went in all directions the worst effected was Spiral Glory who stumbled badly down the back straight losing any chance.
Turanza Bale did a mighty job to overcome all sorts trouble and once he got clear he went to the line well winning by three and a quarter lengths in a fast 29.66 after splits of 4.47 and 16.83.
Trainer Graeme Bate was delighted to win his first S.A. Derby.
“I have had a few finalists over the years but never won the race he is a nice type of dog that is improving all the time he's only had 20 starts, just a bit slow early. I expect him to get better he charges home and chases extremely well. I will have a crack at the Shepparton Cup with him next week then we'll aim up at the big carnival races at Sandown you never know I like to have them qualified for the Melbourne Cup the more chances the better.” Bate said.
After the placed runners the field finished in the following order 4th Premier Moment ($8.20), 5th Manhattan Angel ($39.00), 6th Uncle Remus ($29.00) 7th Quinton Bale ($9.30) and Spiral Glory ($3.10).
Turanza Bale is raced by Paul Wheeler and trained by Graeme Bate he is a Black dog whelped July 2006 by Primo Uno from Daishi Bale (Head Honcho x Miami Bale). Turanza Bale has won six of his 21 starts and has been placed on nine occasions and with the $20,000 first prize for the Derby it took his current stake earnings to $35,855.
Listed below are the past winners of South Australian Derby, when it was first run in 1971 the race was called the South Australian Willows and it remained as such until it was changed to be named the Derby in 1977.
The race has produced some great dogs including Adelaide Cup winner Thundering Two, Melbourne Cup winner Speedy Mick, Top Gun dead heater Golden Currency, leading Irish sire Top Honcho, Silver Chief winner Jamella Prince, Shoot-Out victor Great Wish, National Sprint Championship runner – up Lion Hearted, and the speedy Adelaide Cup winner Big Time Max.
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SA Derby Full Honour Roll
- 1971 North Kinta
- 1972 Star Hold
- 1973 Special Draw
- 1974 Redleg's Review
- 1975 Call Me Satan
- 1976 Bacoran
- 1977 Sunny Credo
- 1978 White Panther
- 1979 Terra Power
- 1980 Zanelli
- 1981 Turul
- 1982 Super Dingaan
- 1983 Tempix Flame
- 1984 Thundering Two
- 1985 Taj Rossi
- 1986 Speedy Mick
- 1987 Title Blazer
- 1988 Speed Row
- 1989 Welcome Stranger
- 1990 Gold Raider
- 1991 Vintage McLaren
- 1992 Tara Tivoli
- 1993 Golden Currency
- 1994 Benchimes
- 1995 Top Honcho
- 1996 Tribute To Dad
- 1997 Awesome McLaren
- 1998 Jamella Prince
- 1999 Great Wish
- 2000 Sam's Assistant
- 2001 Come On Lleyton
- 2002 Wizard's Chess
- 2003 Lion Hearted
- 2004 Our Spence
- 2005 Manley Street
- 2006 Big Time Max
- 2007 Merciless Lu
- 2008 Turanza Bale