Bogie Bekim upstages Fanta Bale to win Group 2 Topgun Stayers

Bogie Bekim winning at earlier this month. PIC: Kurt Donsberg Greyhound Photography.

BOGIE Bekim ( x Bogie Skye Apr '14) upstaged superstar bitch (David Bale x Ucme Typhoon Aug '14) to score a massive win in Saturday night's invitation-only Group 2 (725m) at .

Trained in South Australia by , Bogie Bekim, which won the Group 1 Galaxy at Cannington at the start of the year, was sent to the traps as a 20/1 outsider off box four.

The black dog was only midfield to begin, but pushed up into third and stalked Fanta Bale throughout the entirety of the race before unleashing a powerful finishing burst in the home straight to win by a length in 42.62.

Former Victorian Ring The Bell ( x Absolute Stunna Nov '13), which is now trained in New Zealand, flashed home to grab third.

While the win stunned many racegoers and punters, Rawlings said he knew his charge was capable of causing an upset.

“We were very happy with him heading into the race,” Rawlings told Australian Racing Greyhound.

“We knew he was at where he needed to be because he had run some fast times at Angle Park over the past few weeks – the same times he was running before going to Perth where he won the Group 1 earlier in the year.

“He just needed a bit of luck early to be able to possie up in the first few which he did.”

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Rawlings said once his greyhound got into second spot and began closing in down the back he knew he was in with a big chance of capturing the title.

“I started getting pretty excited. He took two lengths off [Fanta Bale] pretty quick coming off the back and even though he took a while to get past her in the home straight he always looked like getting there when you watch the replay.”

Bogie Bekim, which is owned in Queensland by Les Bein, has now won 22 of his 59 starts with 17 placings and has earned his connections a massive $273,120.

Rawlings said he can understand why Bogie Bekim was overlooked by punters and that he is pleased his kennel star has now proven himself against the best in Australia.

“It was probably fair enough that they didn't give him much of a chance, he'd been over there a few times in the big races and hadn't done what we thought he could do.

“He had a point to prove – so to see him come out and beat one of the best staying fields we have seen in recent times is really satisfying.”

Bogie Bekim will now head back to SA where he will be prepared for another Victorian conquest as Rawlings eyes off the heats of the Group 1 on November 17 at Sandown Park.

“He seems to have pulled up well, but once we get him home we'll have a good look at him and focus on getting him 100 per cent before we head back over.

“Hopefully now that he has won another big race he'll be able to dodge Fanta Bale and Burn One Down in the heats, but either way I'm looking forward to it and hoping he can continue to race well.”