Bargain Buy Set For Inaugural The Clarence Tilt

MELANIE Mabbott didn't really need a new dog for her kennel at Duri just south of Tamworth, but she and husband Anthony bought one anyway.

That dog is Adelmo Bale (Fernando Bale-Ursula Bale) which had already won 19 races for the Wheeler family and trainer Rob Camillari.

“Anthony saw him advertised for just $1000 and we thought he would be a nice dog to come to Grafton and the Northern Rivers for Masters races,” said Melanie.

FIELDS AND FORM GRAFTON SUNDAY

But on Sunday, Melanie steps Adelmo Bale back up to 660m racing when he contests a heat of The Clarence at Grafton.

Adelmo Bale meets some stiff opposition including Sanisha which appeared luckless not to have won Tuesday night's The Richmond (620m) at Casino when beaten three-quarters of a length behind Seven Sinners.

The Clarence is an innovation of GRNSW, similar to The Richmond and Sunday week's final will be worth $25,000 as well and also serve as a qualifier into the semi-finals of the rich Country Classic.

“He's a very nice dog, has settled well into the kennels and has been paying his way with a couple of placings in the three runs we have given him so far,” said Melanie of Adelmo Bale.

“We tried to get him a start over 660 metres last week but the nominations fell away.”

Melanie's kennel has 25, a number that has grown over the past three years since she decided to go full time training.

“I grew up in a greyhound racing family with my dad, Richard Edmonds, training in Tamworth,” she said.

Melanie's husband Anthony runs the family's two bakeries but she admits it is his expertise in placing the kennels dog that is invaluable.

“He does all the form and knows where we need to place them,” said Melanie.

Two heats of The Clarence will be run on Sunday with the other heat also dominated by Tom Tzouvelis kennel members Scintillate and Pursuer both of them recent Group 1 finalists.