Fanta Bale Stayers runner-by-runner preview & racing tips | 22/2
The Fanta Bale Stayers final kicks off the Group 1 racing at The Meadows in Race 6 on Saturday, February 22.
With Australia’s best stayers lining up, the race looks set to be a battle between four key contenders: Ethanol Water (Box 1), Unreal Speed (Box 6), Late Night News (Box 8), and Groovebird (Box 5).
A $100,000 payday awaits the winner, and with wide-open betting markets across the top greyhound bookmakers, there is plenty of value to be found.
Here is our runner-by-runner greyhound betting tips for the 2025 Group 1 Fanta Bale Stayers:
2025 Fanta Bale Stayers greyhound preview
Can Ethanol Water win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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1 Ethanol Water
T: Thomas DaillyF: 81171Career: 62: 24-11-8Prizemoney: $357,280
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Ethanol Water is a proven Group 1 performer and showed her class in the heats, surging late to win in 42.73. With four wins and three minors from 10 starts off Box 1, she’s perfectly drawn to settle close to the speed and unleash her powerful finish. While she has mixed her race patterns recently, her ability to recover from early trouble and finish strongly makes her a key contender.
Can Pass Mark win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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2 Pass Mark
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 82853Career: 55: 16-8-9Prizemoney: $138,260
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Pass Mark is an honest stayer who battled on well for third in his heat, running 42.74 behind Unreal Speed. He has a solid record at the track and is well drawn in Box 2, which should allow him to position up early. While he lacks the explosive turn of foot of some rivals, he grinds away late and could get into the placings with a trouble-free run.
Can Flying Envy win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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3 Flying Envy
T: Kim ErenshawF: 75363Career: 35: 8-1-5Prizemoney: $40,585
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Flying Envy put in a solid effort to finish third in her heat, running 42.82 after showing early speed. She will need to lead to be competitive here, but against some of the stronger stayers in the field, that looks a tough ask. While she has shown glimpses of ability, she may struggle to hold on late and is best suited as an outsider for minor placings.
Can Shake And Bake win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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4 Shake And Bake
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 43552Career: 46: 11-5-14Prizemoney: $89,343
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Shake And Bake put in a solid performance in her heat, finishing second in 42.78 after looming as a danger late. She has a solid record at The Meadows over this trip and will need a clean getaway from Box 4 to position herself well early. While she is capable of running a strong race, she will need everything to go her way to be a winning chance, making her an outsider for the minor placings.
Can Groovebird win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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5 Groovebird
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 12621Career: 56: 16-7-8Prizemoney: $136,220
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Groovebird is a bold front-running stayer who was dominant in her heat, leading all the way in 42.62. She thrives when dictating terms and has been racing in strong form, finishing in the top two in four of her last five starts. Box 5 isn’t ideal, but if she can cross early and take control, she’ll give plenty of cheek in the final.
Can Unreal Speed win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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6 Unreal Speed
T: Robert BrittonF: 31131Career: 13: 9-0-2Prizemoney: $65,495
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Unreal Speed was the fastest heat winner, clocking a slick 42.48 and showcasing an electrifying mid-race burst. The Robert Britton-trained chaser has won nine of 13 career starts and looks to be a staying star in the making. While Box 6 presents some risk, if he finds clear air early, his acceleration could prove too much for his rivals.
Can Irish Millie win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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7 Irish Millie
T: Stephen WhyteF: 23462Career: 51: 10-11-8Prizemoney: $248,780
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Irish Millie ran a solid second in her heat, closing late behind Groovebird in 42.73, but has struggled to land a knockout blow at this level. While the Stephen Whyte-trained stayer has a strong record from wide draws, she faces a tough ask against some of these speedsters. Place chance at best.
Can Late Night News win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
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8 Late Night News
T: Mary HughesF: 12312Career: 21: 9-5-4Prizemoney: $102,990
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Late Night News ran a strong second in his heat behind Unreal Speed, clocking 42.59 — the second-fastest qualifying time. The Mary Hughes-trained stayer has been ultra-consistent with a 43% win rate and thrives over the staying journey. Drawn wide, he’ll need to navigate the early stages well, but if he can find a position, he’ll be charging late and could be a major threat.
Can Infra Rock win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
| Reserves | |
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9 Infra Rock
T: Mark McclellandF: 21113Career: 22: 7-5-8Prizemoney: $35,858
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Infra Rock is an emerging stayer who has been racing well, finishing third in his heat behind Groovebird in 42.94. Prior to that, he had strung together three consecutive wins, including a sharp 41.93 at Sandown. A consistent performer with a 91% place rate, he’ll be doing his best work late but would need luck to feature from a reserve role. If he gains a start, he could be a place chance.
Can Full Of Regrets win the Fanta Bale Stayers?
| Reserves | |
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10 Full Of Regrets
T: Dallan KlemkeF: 32314Career: 25: 6-3-10Prizemoney: $39,867
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Full Of Regrets has been consistent in lower-grade staying races but looks outclassed here. She ran fourth in her heat in 42.79, which was well off the top qualifiers, and while she has shown ability over middle distances, the rise in class and depth of opposition makes this a tough task. She needs luck to gain a start and would be a rough place chance at best.
Fanta Bale Stayers 2025 selections & best bets
Ethanol Water ($3.20) gets the perfect draw in Box 1 and is the clear top selection. She should punch up early, hold the rail, and get every chance to dictate the race. A proven Group 1 performer, she’s as strong as they come over the 730m trip, and if she leads or sits close, she’ll be incredibly hard to hold out. Expect her to take plenty of beating with solid odds on offer .
Unreal Speed ($2.60) is the biggest danger after an eye-catching heat win in 42.48. He possesses a devastating mid-race burst, and if he gets room to wind up from Box 6, he’ll be storming home late. The tricky draw is the main concern, but his X-factor acceleration makes him a serious winning chance.
Late Night News ($4.40) is a gun NSW stayer who ran 42.59 in the heats and comes into this in top form. While Box 8 isn’t ideal, he’s a strong finisher who will be charging home late if he avoids early trouble. If the inside brigade finds trouble, he’s the one who could capitalise at solid each-way odds.
Groovebird ($8.50) rounds out the selections as a dangerous front-runner. She led all the way in her heat, clocking a strong 42.62, and if she can cross early from Box 5, she’ll be in this for a long way. The concern is the early pressure around her, but if she finds the front, she could prove hard to run down at value odds .
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1
ETHANOL WATER
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6
UNREAL SPEED
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8
LATE NIGHT NEWS
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5
GROOVEBIRD
2025 Fanta Bale Stayers Best Bet – The Meadows Race 6 – 22/2/25
Fanta Bale Stayers Best Bet
Race 6 – 
Ethanol Water (1)
Form: 81171 | Career: 62 24-11-8 | Trainer: Thomas Dailly