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  • Saturday, 27 Feb, 2021,
  • by Andrew Copley

Stanley a genuine Super Stayer

Emerging NSW stayer Stanley Road ($9) won tonight’s $142,750 Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers (725m), with a brilliant come-from-behind victory.

As expected, front-running WA star Zack Monelli assumed control soon after the start, but he was no match for Stanley Road, he trailed by 10 lengths before weaving through traffic to score in 42.15sec.

Caretaker trainer Paul Bartolo struggled to hold back his emotions after the win.

“I’m just ecstatic because I’ve grown really attached to this dog,” Bartolo said.

“He’s one of the best-mannered greyhounds I’ve ever had in my kennel.”

“I’d like to thank (trainer) Mark (Gatt) and (owner) Eddie (Kingswell) for trusting me with their dog.”

“He’s only had about half a dozen races over the staying distance but tonight was a super win.”

WATCH: Stanley Road trailed by 10 lengths before scoring a sensational win in the $142,750 G1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers (725) over Sir Truculent (6) and Sunset Bourbski (5).

“He arrived to me in magnificent condition and he’s only going to get better and better.”

“I’m going to miss him when he goes (back to NSW).”

Stanley Road (Allen Deed x Piper Road) took his career record to 12 wins from 26 starts, with the $100,000 first prize taking his career earnings up to $215,000.

Earlier tonight, 22-month-old Aston Rupee (Glenn Rounds) set The Meadows alight with a scintillating victory in 29.47sec – just 1.5 lengths off the track record – in his fifth win from just seven career starts.

The Group 3 Vic Bred Maiden Final (525m) saw Jazz Opera (Natalie Presutto) lead all the way in 30.02sec, claiming a $25,000 first prize.

Mr. Fixit (Angela Langton) won the $20,000 to-the-winner Australian Cup Consolation, while one of the stories of the night was the win by Midnight Force in the Cup Night Middle Distance (600m).

Midnight Force, who collected a $15,000 first prize, is trained by Adam Rademaker, who got into training greyhounds after adopting a greyhound as a pet through the Greyhound Adoption Program.

WATCH: ASTON RUPEE (7) set The Meadows alight in tonight’s Country Championship Final, pushing through traffic and clocking 29.47sec in just his seventh career start.

Photos by Clint Anderson

THRILL OF THE CHASE – AUSTRALIAN CUP NIGHT

WATCH: Catch all the emotion around the two Group 1s on Australian Cup night, a special on the Whelan family, Roz Russell in Lou’s Lounge and the announcement for a new million dollar race called The Phoenix.

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Andrew CopleyAndrew Copley

Andrew Copley

Communications Manager at Greyhound Racing Victoria with 25 years’ experience as a reporter with National Greyhound Form newspaper and GRV. Former Watchdog form analyst. Adopter of celebrity greyhound, Fred Basset. Victorian Greyhound of the Year and Victorian greyhound racing Hall of Fame panel member.

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