$250 to 1 Shot Stakes His Claim For Melbourne Cup Glory
It took just four of the 2010 Melbourne Cup heats for iconic Victorian trainer and hall of famer, Graeme Bate to stake his claim on Victorian greyhound racing's richest ever prize.
Starting a ridiculous $250-1 with Sportsbet to win the Melbourne Cup final, and coming off a box five draw, inside speedy Nova Surf and New South Wales' best greyhound and reigning National Sprint Champion Smooth Fancy; Zambola Bale made light of his previous eighty two starts and ran like a young two year old up and comer to lead all the way throughout in a more than handy 29.60.
Beginning quickly from his squeeze box draw, Zambola Bale burnt off lightning beginner Nova Surf early and made every post a winner from there running 5.09 to the first section and 18.87 to the back, where Nova Surf tried valiantly to make greyhound on the veteran greyhound but was fading by the home turn.
While Nova Surf was wilting, Zambola Bale was showing all the strength we've come to expect and he ran to the line strongly to win by two and half lengths from Daintree Palace, who finished over the top of the tiring Nova Surf.
Amazingly Zambola Bale started a ridiculous $250 -1 on the Melbourne Cup greyhound betting pre post market at Sportsbet and will give some lucky punters the hope of a huge collect in next weeks final with the box draw still to come.
In the first three of the Melbourne Cup heats, Dee Winter led all the way from box one to record 5.19, 18.87 and 29.66.
In the second heat pre post favourite El Grand Senor made a similar one act affair of heat two leading all the way from box three in 5.05, 18.59 and 29.43.
In the third heat the Rob Britton trained Symmetry upset the well fancied Greywinds Doll taking over the second sectional lead from Buddy Rox to run away with a seven length win in 29.49.
But all honours tonight after four Melbourne Cup heats go with Graeme Bate, who despite looking like having a quiet Superdogs Carnival has yet again produced a Melbourne Cup finalist.
Zambola Bale will be Bates' third Melbourne Cup finalist in as many years.