Avenger Bale's Deserved Group 1 Triumph

THE missing link between the three members of the talented Fernando Bale – Langi Bale litter brothers was hooked up when Avenger Bale strode to an easy victory in Friday's $27,465 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Stayers' Cup over the 732m distance at the Addington Raceway.

Avenger Bale was the only litter member who hadn't tasted victory at Group 1 level. He corrected that anomaly when delivering his stylish 43.30 win in this event for his Canterbury conditioner Craig Roberts.
Previously the Jan Wheeler owned Dirk Bale had won the Auckland Cup, while the now injury enforced retired Allen Ablett had prevailed in the Spion Rose Cup and the Hatrick Classic at the elite level.
There was a couple of sensations that unfolded during the running of the NZ Stayers Cup involving the first two finishers in the recent $88,000 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar.
Firstly the runner-up in that extreme 779m staying test Dusty Gambler stumbled when exiting from trap eight. The Karen Walsh trained stayer then copped a decent check going into the first turn. It was a massive effort by him to pick himself up to rocket home for fourth, a nose away from third.
Race favourite Ring The Bell cruised into early contention when he ranged up to the pace rounding the first turn. He then slotted into his favoured rails possie sitting poised ready to strike with a lap to run.
That anticipated challenge never emerged as Ring The Bell surprisingly drifted when the pressure was applied going down the back straight the last time. He was never going to recover as he battled into fifth. His conditioner Ray Adcock later revealed that a viral condition was diagnosed. More on Disco to follow in next week's issue.
Nothing can be taken away from the freewheeling victory that Avenger Bale produced. He was always in control of proceedings as he scampered away for his comfortable 2.25 length win.
Dave and Jean Fahey provided the minor place getters with the ever consistent stayer Translator finishing second while Opawa Tab claimed third.
"I was very happy when I saw Avenger bounce in front, then when I saw Ring The Bell looming up to him so early, I thought surely this isn't going to happen (go on past). Then at the post the first time around with a lap to run Avenger really gassed it and he put a hole against them when he went clear by putting in a quick, strong sectional down to the back mark," said Roberts.
"It was when he turned for the run home when I realized nothing was going to catch him. When he hit the line I was bloody rapt for him, thinking now he's got his Group 1 race win like his brothers. He isn't a dog who is full of confidence, although he's happy go lucky dog with a lovely attitude," advised Roberts.
Roberts has confirmed that Avenger Bale and Dirk Bale, along with others from his kennels will now focus on the Formpro Amazing Chase series, which is the Kiwi version of the Sandown Park hosted Speed Star series.
Qualifying for the $60,000 series has commenced with three venues – Manukau Stadium (527m), Hatrick Raceway (520m) and the Addington Raceway (520m) being used as Amazing Chase qualifying tracks.
The leading clockers from those tracks will converge at Hatrick on July 27 where the four 520m two dog match matches will be contested.