VICTORIAN trainer Graeme Bate registered his second success in the Tasracing Launceston Cup when Radley Bale blitzed hi rivals in the Group 2 event over 515 metres at The TOTE Racing Centre on Monday night.
Radley Bale started the short-priced favourite on the strength of his effortless heat win a week earlier but he also went into the ace having won more prizemoney than that of the entire opposition.
It was another impressive performance from the son of Big Daddy Cool.
He began brilliantly from box three to lead to the first turn with Lika Whisper (box 4) hot on his heels and just ahead of Classic Camdale that showed terrific speed from box eight to be one off the fence rounding the first turn.
Radley Bale extended his lead down the back stretch and went on to defeat Lika Whisper by over four lengths with Classic Camdale almost two lengths astern.
The winner stopped the clock at 29.60s with splits of 4.98 and 17.49.
Given Radley Bale’s form of late the dog is likely to start a warm favourite in the Group 1 Temlee at The Meadows on Saturday night.
Bate was not trackside to see the win but his travelling lead hand Rob Camalleri was thrilled with the result.
“I don’t reckon any other trainer in Australia could have kept this dog going as long as Graeme has,” Camalleri said.
“He is a four-year-old dog running like a two-year-old. It’s simply amazing.”
“The dog is really sharp and is doing the things you would only expect a young dog to be doing so he is an absolute credit to the trainer,” he said.
Radley Bale is owned and raced by Paul Wheeler who has been tempted for a while to retire the dog to stud but Camalleri says here are a few more assignments on the agenda.
“He’s got the Temlee on Saturday night and he’s drawn box two and then he’ll head to the heats of the Australia Cup,” Camalleri said.
But the big question on the lips of most pundits is whether or not Wheeler will pull the pin on his racing career before having a crack at winning back-to-back Golden Easter Eggs.
“It will depend on how the dog is going as to whether he has a shot at winning another Golden Easter Egg,” Camalleri aid.
“It would be nice to think he could win it (Easter Egg) again but he would have to be as keen as he is a he moment for Graeme and the owner to consider going to Sydney again,” he said.
Radley Bale has started 97 times for 36 wins and 26 minor lacings for almost $500,000 which already makes him a much sought after stud proposition.