Bate Eyes Off State Sprint Champs

Iconic 12-time Victorian Trainer of the Year Graeme Bate has a four-pronged attack in the state heats (515m) at Park on Thursday night.

The Lara-based doyen's line-up is Keeko Bale (Heat 1, Box 3), Velocette (Heat 2, Box 3), Turanza Bale (Heat 3, Box 4) and Beware (Heat 4, Box 5).

It has been seven years since Bate has basked in national glory.

Back in 2001, Bate won the NSC grand final (conducted at The Meadows) with Henerik Bale. Carlisle Jack (2002 Victorian ) made it a Victorian quinella.

Bate is one of eight trainers with 20 of this year's 32 Victorian aspirants.

The others are :

  • Tina Womann (Lara) – Wavecatcher (Heat 1, Box 7), (Heat 2, Box 5) and North Sea (Heat 3, Box 5)
  • Stan Ralph (Tooradin) – Violet Crumble (Heat 2, Box 4), Jeddy Boy (Heat 3, Box 1) and (Heat 4, Box 1)
  • (Anakie) – Atlantic Bale (Heat 2, Box 6) and Ashby Bale (Heat 4, Box 7)
  • Angela Langton (Anakie) – Que Sera Sera (Heat 1, Box 6) and Lynlea's King (Heat 3, Box 3)
  • Carolyn Jones (Sale) – Morgan Bros (Heat 1, Box 5) and Make The Magic (Heat 3, Box 2)
  • (Officer) – Summer Grace (Heat 1, Box 8) and Paragon Patch (Heat 3, Box 7)
  • Robert Britton (Lara) – (Heat 3, Box 6) and One Tree Hill (Heat 4, Box 8)
  • Ian and have Bliksem (Heat 4, Box 2) and (Heat 1, Box 4)

Three Group 1 winners are among the list – Ashby Bale (2007 Vic Peters Classic), Que Sera Sera (2007 Sapphire Crown Classic) and Tasman Queen (2008 Australian Cup).

The $10,000-to-the-winner NSC state final will be held at Sandown Park on August 14.

First and second in the state qualifier will progress to the $50,000-to-the-winner NSC grand final (520m), to be held at Wentworth Park in Sydney on August 30.

Since its inception in 1965, Victoria has won 11 national titles – Kinta's Son (1966), Princess Kerry (1968), Regal Hermes (1970), New Mariner (1973), Temlee (1974), Bowetzel (1977), Mr. Slick (1992), Shayne's Champ (1996), Henerik Bale (2001), In The Frame (2002) and Pure Octane (2005).

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