Fernando Bale lands Group 1 National Derby for Andrea Dailly
THE 2015 Group 1 National Derby trophy is heading to Victoria, after favourite Fernando Bale took advantage of some good fortune at the first turn, racing away in a time of 29.87.
Jason Magri's Bad Boy Sniper took enormous ground off the leader, reducing the winning margin to just two lengths, with strong finisher Winsome Prince for Melinda Finn winding up in third position.
Tasmanian sprinter Dark Vito was best away from box two, with inside runner Lektra Outlaw a length away in second position. At the first turn several greyhounds suffered heavy interference, giving Fernando Bale a glorious run into the back straight. Bad Boy Sniper did his best to reduce the margin, however, it was Andrea Dailly's National Derby, along with owner Paul Wheeler, and they will receive $75,000 for their efforts.
Fernando Bale recorded his third consecutive win, after clocking a fast time of 29.65 in a heat win two weeks ago, followed by a sizzling 29.42 performance in last week's semi-finals. The son of Kelsos Fusileer and Chloe Allen notched up his sixth career victory on Saturday night from start No.10, with a new prizemoney total of $95,860.
2015 Group 1 National Derby final
1st: Fernando Bale (box seven) – Andrea Dailly ($75,000)
2nd: Bad Boy Sniper (box four) – Jason Magri ($18,750)
3rd: Winsome Prince (box three) – Melinda Finn ($9375)
4th: Zipping Carter (box six) – Jason Mackay
5th: Lektra Outlaw (box one) – Andrea Dailly
6th: Dark Vito (box two) – Edward Medhurst
7th: Dyna Tiber (box five) – Andrea Dailly
8th: Topper Road (box eight) – Anthony Azzopardi
Time: 29.87
First split: 5.41 (2)
Second split: 17.96 (7)
Run home: 11.91
Margins: 2 x 7 3/4
Scratchings: Winsome Jacko (1st res), Whittaker (2nd res)