Gibbons Plonks For Mckeon Bale In Oaks

MCKEON Bale and not her more fancied kennelmate Yahiro Bale is Victorian trainer Daniel Gibbons' pick for next Thursday night's Group 3 SA Oaks final (530m) at Angle Park.

“It all comes down to then box draw,” said Daniel.

Yahiro Bale, fastest heat winner on a wet track with a 30.42, has drawn the five, while Mckeon Bale, second to Molly Irish in 30.84, has drawn perfectly in the eight.

“Yahiro, if she gets the start right, they will struggle to catch her for sure,” said Daniel. “But, she has been plagued by poor box draws in her past eight starts.

Yahiro Bale took home a victory earlier tonight for trainer Daniel Gibbons in preparation for next week's Oaks final.

GRSA race-caller, Lachlan Stace interviews Rebecca Gibbons, the Kennel Rep of Yahiro Bale, to find out how she thinks Yahiro Bale went.https://t.co/dAj3isEEmE

— SA Greyhound Tips (@TheDogsSA) September 8, 2022

“I don't think she has drawn closer than three in those latest eight runs.

“Mckeon Bale, on the other hand., is drawn perfectly in the eight. I can see her sweeping around them at the first turn.”
Gibbons was delighted with the run of all his Oaks and Derby finalists. He has Winnington Bale in the Derby final.

“None of them had been there before,” he said.

“Yahiro Bale went really well. I was stoked with her run. And she can only be improved.

“Mckeon Bale got a bit tired at the finish, but she was in a bit of trouble early and made a big run at them in the middle stages. She can be a big improver.”

G3 SA Oaks (box draw): 1 Zipping Darla, 2 Ava Blazer, 3 Melissa Keeping, 4 Agent Four, 5 Yahiro Bale, 6 Miss Scallywag, 7 Molly Irish, 8 Mckeon Bale. Res: 9 Osprey Athena, 10 Whiskey Soda.

Gibbons said Winnington Bale's box eight in the Derby final had virtually wiped out his hopes of winning the Group 3 final.

“He is a slow beginner and I can see him well back early,” he said.

One who appears well drawn for the Derby final is Rushes Raw a recent purchase for Clint Alloway from the Kate Gorman kennel in Victoria.

Kim Johnstone trains him and the son of My Redeemer-Moltisanti comes into the final off a 30.71 win and has drawn the coveted rails.

Box draw for Group 3 SA Derby next Thursday night. What a line up we have! pic.twitter.com/gIMJM9C45G

— SA Greyhound Tips (@TheDogsSA) September 8, 2022

“But, it might not be as good as it appears,” said Kim. “He loves the rails, loves Angle Park, but the two (Deadly Class) crashes to the fence at the start.

“Still, we have the rails and that has to be a huge help.”

Rushes Raw has been with Kim since the end of April and has adapted to Angle Park so well.

“He is only a little fella at 27.3 kilos, but he has taken a real shine to Angle Park,” she said.

“I've taken him to Murray Bridge and while he has trialled well there, he has never raced well.”

Rushes Raw, a finalist in the Champion Puppy, recently sped through a 309.25 win at Angle Park.

“Yes, he needs to jump, but he will stay straight to the first turn,” said Kim.

“The one to beat?

“We don't want Hector Frawley within four lengths of us coming to the home turn. He was very impressive in his heat win.”

Hector Frawley, from the Lisa Cockerell kennel, ran 30.62 finishing powerfully to win his heat over Winnington Bale.

G3 SA Derby (box draw): 1 Rushes Raw, 2 Deadly Class, 3 Korda, 4 Salad Dodger, 5 Columbus Monelli, 6 Hector Frawley, 7 Multi Matt, 8 Winnington Bale. Res: 9 Spring Honour, 10 Woodside Brockie.