3 minute read
Rising star Uriel Bale is experiencing a ‘racing romance’ with a ‘handsome’ eight wins – including six of his past seven – from only 11 starts.
Trained by Rob Camilleri, Uriel Bale should take a 'walk down the aisle' in the all-male $14,575 Shepparton Classic (450m) – Race 8, 1.31pm – on Monday. The final carries a $10,000 first prize.
Uriel Bale (Jan '22 Barcia Bale x Welsly Bale) landed his heat at $6.80 in a tidy 25.17sec, just under one length off fastest heat winner Aston Cornes (25.12sec).
"I was surprised with his odds… I thought they must have had a go on something to blow him out to $6," Camilleri exclaimed.
Uriel Bale will occupy the dreaded box six in the final – albeit he's undefeated in two starts from the 'green' alley.
"Box six is a worry for any dog," Camilleri said. "But the speed is on the inside of him; I don't think anything will come crashing down on him.
"He's still doing a lot wrong… He's got that up his sleeve if he can correct those mannerisms.""So, if he gets an unimpeded run early, he'll make it very interesting."
Camilleri adds Uriel Bale "has got so much raw ability".
"He's still doing a lot wrong, so that's exciting in itself. He's got that up his sleeve if he can correct those mannerisms."
Meanwhile, magical Mackenna resumed racing in slashing style in a Sportsbet Matchmakers heat (450m) at Shepparton last Monday.
Contesting her first start since late October last year, Mackenna ($1.20F) – sold for an undisclosed sum and now trained at Parwan by Paul Abela – clocked a sizzling 24.89sec (Best).
Following the win, Abela told thegreyhoundrecorder.com.au: "I've had fast dogs before, but I've never had one like her… It's scary what she can run… I've never had dogs that run track records on trial day."
Mackenna (Dec '21 Whiskey Riot x Alcyone), who has won nine races from 14 starts, will now enter Monday's all-female $14,575 Sportsbet Matchmakers final (450m) – Race 6, 12.56pm – from box four as obviously the one to beat. The race is also worth $10,000 to the winner.
"With what she's been trialling, her winning heat time didn't surprise me," Abela said. "Potentially, she could be the best greyhound I've had."
Abela concedes "box four in any final is not ideal".
"However, she just needs 10 metres of free air to explode. She's high quality and exciting."
Abela advised Mackenna would be set for the forthcoming Group 1 Golden Easter Egg series at Wentworth Park in Sydney. The final, to be staged on April 13, is worth a mouth-watering $250,000 to the winner.
