Victorian Ring The Bell wins 2016 Group 1 National Distance
RING The Bell scored the biggest victory of his 45 start career on Saturday night, taking out the Group 1 National Distance Championship (731m) at Angle Park.
Sent to the boxes as the $2.50 favourite, the Victorian son of Kinloch Brae and Absolute Stunna settled in third spot in the early stages, with Queenslander Big Easy Red (box one) and NSW stayer Cardiology (box six) sharing the lead.
Running past the post on the first occasion and Cardiology managed to shake off her opponent from the Sunshine State, kicking clear to take a clear lead heading into the back straight.
Coming off the back and the black bitch started to tire, with Ring The Bell poised to strike back in second spot, producing a powerful finishing burst along the inside to assume the lead in the run to the line, scoring by two lengths in a respectable 43.22.
Local greyhounds filled the trifecta, with Parsec Bale (box four) grabbing second, with Springvale Bryne (box five) a further half a length back in third spot.
Leader Cardiology tired in the concluding stages, finishing up in sixth position.
Trained by Gerry O’Keeffe, Ring The Bell has now won 15 races, including the Listed Superstayers at Albion Park with a further 15 minor placings, while Saturday’s winner’s cheque elevated his career earnings to just under $200,000.