Bella Una Races To Country Classic Glory

THE world's richest middle distance race is heading to Forbes after Bella Una landed the Ladbrokes Country Classic Final (605m) in front of a bumper crowd at Dubbo on Saturday night.

In a slashing display of sustained speed, Bella Una took up the running from box eight and from there always looked to have the $125,000-to-the-winner finale safely in her keeping for trainers Jack and Maree Smith.

Superstar stayer Palawa King rattled home from last to claim second place two-and-a-half lengths away and deliver the Smiths – and their grand sire Feral Franky for that fact – the quinella in the showpiece event.

Finishing third was Might Have Been, running a mighty race for connections. The winning time was 34.72.

"We were really confident she'd run well tonight … she just had to get across from out there," winning trainer Jack Smith said post race.

"She's been racing enormously which she showed breaking the Temora track record. 

Beautiful Bella!

Bella Una jumped in front, and stayed there in the Ladbrokes #CountryClassic Final at Dubbo Greyhounds tonight, defeating her kennel mate (and race fav) Palawa King as Team Smith quinella the race!#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/8rHJDjyLtp

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 16, 2024

"The way it looked there could be some trouble on the inside and that's what happened and she got the break on them.

"But we are most happy for her owner Michael Sheather. He's bounced between a few dogs and to have this success and enjoy it with his family is great to see.

"It's worked out great. That's what we're most happy about."

Bella Una joins Zipping Kyrgios (2022) and Showman Jack (2023) as winners of the Country Classic, the race proving wildly successful since its inception.

The feature victory by Bella Una extended her career record to 10 wins and 13 placings from 36 starts with her prize money now surpassing $200,000.

Before Saturday night's breakthrough big race triumph she had finished second in last year's Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal while also qualifying for the final of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase.

And while all the plaudits were with the winner in Saturday night's finale, the performance of NSW Greyhound of the Year Palawa King to finish as close as he did at the finish was just remarkable.

The multiple group 1 winner showed he was on track for the fast approaching Group 1 Association Cup (720m) before setting his sights for the second straight year on the world's richest distance race, ‘The 715', at The Gardens in late April.

The Smith's Country Classic victory with Bella Una continues an amazing few years on the big stage, revelling in feature race successes with greyhounds the caliber of Feral Franky, Miss Ezmae, Jungle Deuce and in more recent times Palawa King.