Tsar Bell To Channel Mighty Miata In Zoom Top

ADAM Smithson describes Tsar Bell as a “funky character” who can save his best for when he meets the very best.

And that's exactly what he meets on Saturday night when the son of Out Of Range comes out of box three in the Group 1 Zoom Top (730m) at The Meadows in his bid to become the first WA greyhound since Miata back in 2012 to win the race.

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS SATURDAY NIGHT

Tsar Bell goes into the race off four straight wins back in WA, three at Cannington and one at Mandurah.

“He never seems to run time when he wins over here,” said Adam.

“But he seems to put in his best against the very best opposition.”

The box draw for next Saturday night's Unmissable Group 1 #ZoomTop at @MelbourneGreys ??

1️⃣ CAWBOURNE MAGIC
2️⃣ MORAINE SUZIE
3️⃣ TSAR BELL
4️⃣ ARIARNE BALE
5️⃣ KORDA
6️⃣ STAGGER OUT LEE
7️⃣ MEPUNGA RUBY
8️⃣ RITZA PIPER

Reserves
9️⃣ GOLDEN QUEST
? SUPERMAN KEEPING#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/BPptVHlnmB

— Greyhound Racing Victoria (@GRV_News) February 4, 2023

Tsar Bell has raced 64 times for 19 wins and 21 placings earning $152,000.

Along the way he has finished second in the G1 National Distance, third in the Cup Night Stayers and been a finalist in the G1 Topgun Stayers.

Adam sent the dog to Victorian trainer Graham Jose on Tuesday and he will stay with Jose for the upcoming G1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers on February 18 and 25.

Smithson hopes the inside dogs Cawbourne Magic and Moraine Suzie both lead out Tsar Bell to allow his dog to get a clear run to the rails before the first turn.

“That's his chance in the race,” said Adam. “To get onto the rails and be close to the leaders.”

Smithson relishes the chance to take on a field of superstars.

“Cawbourne Magic will be hard to beat off the rails,” he said. “But Mepunga Ruby went super in Queensland winning their Gold Cup.

“And she is a genuine Group 1 bitch.

“But, have a look at the rest of the field. It is full of Group stars.”

Tsar Bell will return home to contest his home Group 1, the WA Galaxy, during the Perth Cup carnival a few weeks after the Fanta Bale Super Stayers.

Smithson is riding a training high after Vice Grip was last week named WA greyhound of the year.

“To get a dog like him so early in my training career was amazing,” he said.

Vice Grip has since been retired to stud and his DNA is being done as a start to his new career.

“I've got a couple of my own bitches I want to put to him, the owners have been approached about semen for him, and there is a good response for him.”

After winning 38 races and earning $562,000 that was only to be expected of the son of Group 1 winners Aston Dee Bee and Bells Are Ringin.