An American project could create history for Robert Britton and his star sprinter turned stayer Fanta Bale tonight in the Group One RSN Sandown Cup.
Fanta Bale is looking to become the only greyhound to win the Australian Cup and Sandown Cup double as well as possibly becoming the only greyhound to win group one races over all three distance.
The daughter of David Bale and Ucme Typhoon is a result of an American project Britton has been working on for more than ten years. After purchasing Fanta Bales mother Ucme Typhoon as a 13-month-old pup in America, Ucme Typhoon went onto have a successful career over both the sprint and middle distances and an even more successful career in the breeding barn.
For Fanta Bale to create history she will have to defeat one of the best Sandown Cup fields on record.
“The Australian Cup and Sandown Cup are only two months apart and to go from being the best sprinter in the nation to the best stayer it’s probably unheard of,” James Van de Maat said in the GRVextra Sandown Cup preview.
Although the TAB has opened her up as a $4.50 chance to win the group one feature, trainer Robert Britton is confident if she leads the race she will take a bit of running down.
“There are six to seven genuine chances in the Cup and I would love to see her lead but getting across dogs like Teddy Monelli isn’t going to be an easy task,” Britton told Mark Duclos on Sky Racing Radio’s Going Greyhounds.
“Fanta Bale has a very consistent racing style that enables her to work through a field well.”
VIDEO: RSN927 Sandown Cup Preview
Although champion stayer Burn One Down has box one, Britton believes the amount of pace in the race will make thing a little bit more difficult.
“Burn One Down is no doubt the dog to beat in this race, but luck is also needed with his racing style. I believe that Trip To Eden is the smokey of the field.”
Fanta Bale’s litter brother Brolly Bale is also lining up in the RSN Sandow Cup with Britton believing he is a fluke chance at the group one victory.
“I think he is a place chance at best, but saying that he does have the early speed to match Fanta Bale.”
With a highly-decorated training career Britton has battled with the Sandown Cup as the race that got away after his short priced favourite Space Star broke down in the 2015 Sandown Cup tearing a monkey muscle.
The Sandown Cup isn’t the only group one that Britton is hoping to take home tonight at Sandown Park. In total Britton has five group one contenders including Bryce Tycoon in the Harrison-Dawson as well as Flyrite and Call Me Gee in the Sapphire Crown.
The TAB suggest Flyrite is one of the favourites in the Group One Sapphire Crown, run over the 515-metre distance opening up paying $4.50.
“Flyrite is a good beginner but I have never seen so many females with early pace in a race,” Britton said.
“I believe who ever leads will probably win; I hope it’s her but it’s going to be really tough to lead from box four.”
Call Me Gee is Britton’s roughie in the Sapphire, with the TAB suggesting she is a $35 chance from box eight.
“At her very best she is a place chance. She has come back from a six-month injury and its only her third run back so whatever she does she will improve.”
Veteran Bruce Tycoon will go into the Harrison-Dawson as the most experienced greyhound in the field with 98 career starts to his name.
“He is still racing well even at his ripe old age and he is just a pleasure to train.
“Box three isn’t too bad for him, a realist would say that Bewildering is probably going to win the race but if they ever make a mistake Bruce is the right type of dogs to have. He is a very smart race dog and he knows where to be on the first turn and usually takes the rails run.”
With five chances at group one glory Britton has learnt along the way to sit back and enjoy the week leading up to the feature events.
Photo: Handler Peter Riley with Fanta Bale following her heat win.
Simone Fisher talks to Peter Riley about Fanta Bale’s Sandown Cup heat win.
