Anakie greyhound trainer Andrea Dailly won her fourth Australian Cup (525m) when Hecton Bale won in a sensational 29.53sec at The Meadows tonight.

Settling in second position behind Haston Slowly, Hecton Bale found the lead in the back straight and won by a whopping five lengths, much to the delight of an emotional Dailly (pictured inset).

It was his 13th win from 26 starts, and the $250,000 first prize took his prize money earnings up to $336,753.

Haston Slowly finished in second place, with Queenslander Opal Nera third.

Earlier in the night, Fanta Bale took out the $100,000 to-the-winner Australian Super Stayers (725m), which saw become the first Australian greyhound to win nine Group 1s.

The Robert Britton-trained Fanta Bale took her career prize money earnings up to a record $1,365,175, surpassing Fernando Bale’s record of $1,299,370.

“It wasn’t all bad for Fernando Bale tonight because he is the sire of Hecton Bale,” said Paul Wheeler of NSW, who bred and owns Hecton Bale, Fernando Bale and Fanta Bale.

“Fernando Bale is siring plenty of quality winners, and Hecton Bale is no exception.”
Hecton Bale has showed plenty of brilliance and versatility throughout his career, winning the Group Listed Maidment Memorial (595m) at Sandown Park as well as the Ballarat Derby (450m).

He could just be the next big thing in greyhound racing.

Dailly’s other Australian Cup winners were Dyna Lachlan (2010), Spud Regis (2013) and Dyna Double One (2016).