Turanza Bale Named As November Run Of The Month

Written By Kevin Pitstock, Editor & Australian Greyhound Racing Expert Contributor Tuesday 1st December 2009

AGRA’s Run of the Month for November 2009 has been awarded to brilliant Victorian sprinter Turanza Bale. In a breathtaking performance the Graeme Bate trained speedster recorded a new track record at the Meadows on November the 2nd when he took out the Group 3 Silver Bullet in 29.61.

The talented black sprinter who had made a number of Group finals without winning overcame a moderate beginning to muster quickly and smash one of Australia’s most sought after mantles – The Meadows track record. Running home in 11.90, Turanza Bale shaved 0.01 off Big Daddy Cool’s record that has stood since 2004.

Positioned just behind the early leader Dyna Lachlan and kennel mate Velocette through the first turn, Turanza Bale was finely poised to at last break his hoodoo at the highest level and win his first group race after seven desperate attempts.

Running strongly to the line, Turanza Bale held off the valiant Velocette who reduced the winning margin to just one length with Dyna Lachlan a further two & three quarters lengths in arrears.

Turanza Bale continued his good form in November finishing second to kennel mate Velocette in the Shoot-Out at Sandown then he won his heat of the Melbourne Cup only to fall at the first turn in the rich final after drawing the dreaded box five.

Turanza Bale is a Black dog whelped July 2006 by Primo Uno from Daishi Bale (Head Honcho x Miami Bale) he is raced by Paul Wheeler. Turanza Bale is trained by Graeme Bate he has raced 68 times for 19 wins and 28 placings with his current stake earnings standing at $153,695.

As usual there were some outstanding runs recorded in October with fast times on both city and country circuits all over Australia. One notable mention has to go to Lord Ducal winner of the Melbourne Cup is was an outstanding performance to take a narrow opening at the first turn then race away from such a quality field and record the second fastest cup winning time in history 29.53.

However a metro record that had stood for such a long time was hard to beat.

AGRA congratulates owner Paul Wheeler, trainer Graeme Bate and Turanza Bale on being judged the AGRA Run of the Month for November 2009. He join’s last month’s winner Queen Lauryn, Goodesy, Sand Burner, Mutt Lange, Forty Twenty (2) Dyna Forte, Taipan Bale, Eluthra, and the January winner Scull Murphy as this year’s AGRA Runs of the Month for 2009.