2015 Speed Star series – Full On Bling aiming to dazzle
JOHN Westerlo believes his greyhound Full On Bling is a genuine threat in Thursday's inaugural Speed Star series at Sandown Park, following on from the greyhound's impressive qualifying trial earlier this month.
While his record stands at a respectable nine wins and eight minor placings from 29 starts, Westerlo says his ability is freakish, with confidence being the factor which has prevented him from reaching his full potential.
“He is a dog which has no confidence – if he had more of it he would have won $260,000 by now rather than $26,000,” Westerlo said.
“That's his biggest problem – when I take him from his kennel to the car he lays all over my leg – he worries about everything and that's what holds him back.”
Full On Bling, a son of Bekim Bale and Miss Bling, clocked a phenomenal 29.15 in his trial earlier this month, a time which came as no surprise to Westerlo.
“His time didn't surprise me and it wouldn't surprise me to see him break 29 seconds this week – that's how fast he is.
“He is a machine – he is a very fast animal and he has been from day one when we were breaking him in.
“I have had a lot of dogs over the years, but he is faster than any dog I've trained before.”
Full On Bling, $5.50 with Bet365, will go head to head with four time group winner Lamia Bale in the first of four match races on the night. He is set to exit the inside (box one), with Lamia Bale jumping on his outside (box three).
“It sounds stupid saying it in a two dog race, but I would have rather drawn the three because he wants to run in the middle of the track.
“In saying that, Lamia Bale will go straight to the front anyway and she will put two or three on him pretty quickly.
“She is a super bitch, but I will be pretty confident if she doesn't get any more than about three lengths clear of him running through the pen.
“He tends to drop off early and then he winds up and gets going – his run home of 10.19 last week had never been done by any dog before – it was unheard of.
“He is the underdog of the series – he is a fifth grade dog up against some superstars, but he has the ability.”
The Speed Star is scheduled as race three at Sandown Park this Thursday, with the winner of each match race set to pocket $10,000. The greyhound which clocks the fastest overall time will collect an extra $15,000 and the title of Speed Star champion.
The current favourite to take out the series is Kelly Bravo's Kayda Shae at $2.50 with Bet365. The son of Kilty Lad and Cosmic Aphrodite will be up against Armed And Ready following his slick 29.12 trial over the weekend.
The fastest qualifier for the series is Smart Missile, $3 with Bet365, which recorded a blistering 29.08 at his first look at the track on Sunday for NSW mentor Jason Mackay. Smart Missile will start on the outside of Dyna Yemen in the second match race.
The third match race features Texas Titan (inside) and Caustic Bale (outside), the latter a winner of three of his past five in quick time.
Lets check out the form of the greyhounds heading into the series.
Speed Star – Match One
Inside – Full On Bling
Black Dog – 32.8kg – December 2012
Bekim Bale x Miss Bling
Prize money: $26,855
Trainer: John Westerlo
Career: 29: 9-5-3
T/D: 4: 2-0-0
T/D Best: 29.15 (trial)
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 33.92, 34.01, 34.18.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $5.50 with Bet365
Outside – Lamia Bale
Brindle Bitch – 27.7kg – July 2012
High Earner x Maple Bale
Prize money: $352,065
Trainer: Steve Collins
Career: 70: 21-15-13
T/D: 34: 11-7-5
T/D Best: 29.23
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Sapphire Crown Classic, 2014 Group 2 Laurels Classic, 2014 Group 3 Dillon Memorial, 2015 Group 3 Amrosoli, 2ND 2015 Group 1 Rookie Rebel, 2ND 2015 Bill Collins Memorial, 3RD 2015 Listed Australian Sprint, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Maturoty Classic, 2015 Group 1 Australian Cup.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $16 with Bet365
Tips: 1st Full On Bling, 2nd Lamia Bale
Speed Star – Match Two
Inside – Dyna Yemen
Fawn Dog – 33.5kg – July 2012
Superman x Talia Bale
Prize money: $78,730
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 56: 13-8-8
T/D: 21: 3-3-3
T/D Best: 29.18
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Traralgon Cup.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $26 with Bet365
Outside – Smart Missile
Black Dog – 36.5kg – July 2013
Nitro Burst x Oh Cee Ya
Prize money: $23,732
Trainer: Jason Mackay
Career: 16: 9-2-1
T/D: 0: 0-0-0
T/D Best: 29.08 (trial)
Career Highlights: WON The Gardens 29.19 TR, Wentworth Park 29.43, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Black Top, 2015 NSW Sprint Championship.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $3.00 with Bet365
Tips: 1st Smart Missile, 2nd Dyna Yemen
Speed Star – Match Three
Inside – Texas Titan
Black Dog – 33.6kg – July 2012
Vapour Whirl x Foot Luce
Prize money: $90,460
Trainer: Jeff Britton
Career: 49: 16-7-11
T/D: 19: 6-3-4
T/D Best: 29.18 (trial)
Career Highlights: 3RD 2014 Group 2 Launching Pad, 2014 Group 3 SA Derby, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Adelaide Cup, 2014 Group 2 Harrison-Dawson, 2014 Group 1 Sale Cup.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $12 with Bet365
Ouside – Caustic Bale
Brindle Dog – 36.1kg – December 2012
Bartrim Bale x Tonneli Bale
Prize money: $72,950
Trainer: Steve Collins
Career: 52: 18-5-5
T/D: 14: 3-2-2
T/D Best: 29.21
Career Highlights: 3RD 2015 Group 1 Harrison-Dawson, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Warragul Cup, 2015 Group 2 Horsham Cup.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $15 with Bet365
Tips: 1st Caustic Bale, 2nd Texas Titan
Speed Star – Match Four
Inside – Kayda Shae
Red Fawn Dog – 34.1kg – June 2013
Kilty Lad x Cosmic Aphrodite
Prize money: $96,370
Trainer: Kelly Bravo
Career: 19: 10-5-0
T/D: 7: 2-3-0
T/D Best: 29.12 (trial)
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 2 Cyril Rowe Cup, 2ND 2015 Group 3 Cranbourne Puppy Classic, 2ND 2015 Group 2 Healesville Cup, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Warrnambool Cup.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $2.50 with Bet365
Outside – Armed And Ready
Light Brindle Dog – 32.4kg – January 2013
Spring Gun x Angels Sing
Prize money: $56,040
Trainer: Brooke Ennis
Career: 33: 16-4-3
T/D: 12: 4-3-2
T/D Best: 29.18
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Shepparton Cup.
Odds to win the Speed Star: $26 with Bet365
Tips: 1st Kayda Shae, 2nd Armed And Ready