The deluge of rain that hit the region spasmodically over the last four days unfortunately caused the postponement of last Sunday’s Sale Cup, but the meeting will now go ahead on New Year’s Eve.
Over 90mm of rain fell in just 12 hours on the track late on Christmas Day and early on Boxing Day, the Sale Greyhound Club left with no choice but to reschedule its biggest night of the year.
The four feature race events that were to be finalised on Boxing Day will now take place this Sunday, including the iconic and much sort after Sale Cup, the only group one country cup on the Victorian greyhound racing calendar.
The middle distance classic (640 metres), carries a huge first prize of $100,000.
Jarick Bale will try and make history and become the first dog to win three consecutive cups.
Five heats of the Sale Cup were conducted prior to Christmas with the heat winners being Drill Sergeant (36.59), Get Ready Dora (36.68), Jarick Bale (37.12), Home Brew (36.80) and Zinzan Chopper (36.64).
It’s the most open cup in years with bookmakers struggling to separate the top five or six chances.
Remarkably the pre-post outsiders are fastest qualifier, Get Ready Dora ($14) and Jarick Bale ($25).
The Mark and Lisa Delbridge trained Jarick Bale has won 38 races in an outstanding career that has netted more than $600,000 in stakes.
Close to five years old, he will have his last start in the Boxing Day final.
“We are not going into this year’s final thinking we can win with him, but it is still a huge thrill to be there chasing a third. He’s a great old dog whose only bad habit is he will shred up his bedding,” Mark Delbridge said.
Jarick Bale might be the sentimental choice, but the locals will be supporting the Nambrok-trained Zinzan Chopper, who will exit from box three for Lyn Smith.
The former Sydney chaser was impressive winning his heat, racing close to the speed and pulling away late – a racing pattern which suits the Sale circuit.
The dog to beat, Storming, trained at Avalon by Michelle Mallia, didn’t even win his heat, finding his way into the final as one of the three fastest qualifying second placegetters.
Drawn ideally in box eight, Storming looks the likely leader and although he will be a sitting shot late, if there’s interference he may open up an unassailable lead.
The race could change complexion if there was to be a scratching, with first reserve, Zoha Bale a huge run in the heats, and likely to start favourite if he could squeeze into the field.
The night will also feature three other feature finals, the Summer Cup (520 metres) and James Yeates Printing Rising Star (435 metres) both offering $10,000 to the winner, while the Sprint Final (435 metres) offers $7000 to the winner.
