Fanta Bale ($2.50 Fav) will need to be at her brilliant best to secure a sixth Group 1 win in Friday night’s National Distance Championship (710m) at Albion Park, according to trainer Robert Britton.
A week after being crowned the Victorian Greyhound of the Year and Stayer of the Year at the 2017 Victorian Greyhound Awards, Fanta Bale has drawn box one in what is a high quality field that includes one other Victorian representative, the extraordinarily talented Burn One Down ($2.70).
“This is a much harder race than when Fanta Bale won the (Group 1) Gold Cup at Albion Park in June when she was the $1.60 Favourite. It is a really strong field and in my mind Burn One Down is clearly the one to beat,” Britton said.
“Fanta Bale is a chance to lead but she certainly won’t have everything her own way, as Ramifications (WA) and Big Easy Red (QLD) both have plenty of early pace as well. Outside Pass (QLD) is new to staying ranks but she is in great form, and Ebby Ripper has a massively strong finish, so there is plenty of depth in the field.”
“Box one could put Fanta Bale right in the race, however, and it may just be a matter of whether or not she can hang on.” Fanta Bale gained a start into the NDC Grand Final as a Wild Card after being the highest AGRA ranked greyhound.
