Silver Lake On The Move After Derby Tilt

BOOM youngster Silver Lake will tackle the Listed Western Districts Derby (450m) at Ballarat before transferring to the kennels of Graham James.

The immensely talented son of Fernando Bale heads into the series as the winner at four of his five appearances in remarkable fashion for breeder/owner/trainer Lyn Gough, including an eye-popping 29.14 victory at Sandown Park.

"Graham is a very good friend and lives only five minutes away so I've made the decision for him to go to Graham after the Derby," Gough said.

"He's a dog good enough to travel and be in the big races and I just can't get away with so much on here at home. So Graham will steer the ship and I've got full confidence in him, he takes no shortcuts."

Following Silver Lake's slashing 25.64 Warragul maiden romp on December 1 Gough has fielded a handful of serious offers for her budding star.

And while not prepared to disclose the size of those approaches, it's understood even $150,000 wasn't enough to prise the prodigious talent from Gough.

"I decided early on he wasn't for sale – not for any number," Gough declared.

"Around seven years ago I got offered $80,000 for a dog called Special Supreme which was going to be very good before breaking down and not racing again a start or two later.

"My father always told me if you get offered good money for a dog you sell. And after what happened with Special Supreme and remembering what Dad said I decided to sell (group 1 winner) Dalgetty a few years later.

"But I've decided to throw that out with Silver Lake – he's just not for sale. But I must say there have been a few offers that've sent a quiver through the body."

Gough is hopeful Silver Lake can continue his brilliant form at Ballarat on Wednesday night when he steps out in heat three of a high quality Western Districts Derby series.

Drawn box four, Silver Lake takes on a fantastic field of young chasers, including Ballarat track record holder Pirate Pete for Jason Thompson.

"It's a very good series with some fantastic dogs," Gough said.

"But I'm happy with my dog. He just needs that clear space early because he hasn't learnt to begin properly yet … but when he hits the ground, wow!

"I trialled him at Ballarat last week and while I don't want to say what he ran let me say he went very good."

Currently boasting four race wins, victories in a heat and final of the $25,000-to-the-winner Derby would extend Silver Lake to six successes, the threshold for entry in March's lucrative Launching Pad series at Sandown Park.

"Whether he goes in the Launching Pad will be up to Graham," Gough said.

"Once the dog is in his kennels he'll be the trainer and make all the decisions. If he's not what's the point of him being there?"

Silver Lake is out of Gough's brood Hot Charmola, the line dating back to Charmola which stretches five generations.

"She had five in her second litter to My Redeemer and I gave them their first slip yesterday – they went great," Gough said.

"I signed Hot Charmola over to Graham for her third litter and she's in pup to Feral Franky."

And when Gough knew she had something special in Silver Lake?

"His first slip at Cranbourne," she recalled.

"He broke eight for the run home his first go which they just don't do. Special Supreme and Dalgetty could but that's it.

"He's a very special dog and nothing is a fuss for him. Just a natural chaser – he's a beauty!"