Christo Bale Sets ‘Sale' On Group 1 Breakthrough

It’s the one thing missing from his impressive resume - a group 1 triumph and it's an analogy Christo Bale can rectify in Saturday's Sale Cup.

It's the one thing missing from his impressive resume – a group 1 triumph.

And at Sale on Boxing Day, powerhouse galloper Christo Bale gets a fantastic chance to rectify that glaring anomaly when he takes his place in the Group 1 Gold FM Sale Cup Final (650m).

The Mark Delbridge-trained son of Barcia Bale has been a regular fixture on the group racing circuit in 2020, boasting wins in the Group 2 McKenna Memorial (595m) at Sandown and Group 3 Speed Star (525m) at The Meadows.

At group 1 level the prolific winning chaser has stepped out on four occasions, including a mighty second to Last Hurrah in the Hume Cup before stepping out five days later to finish third to Shima Shine in the Topgun.

His two other group 1 berths were in the Silver Chief and Maturity Classic, both won by Australian Greyhound of The Year Simon Told Helen.

"It'd be nice to win a group 1 with him – he definitely deserves it," said trainer Mark Delbridge.

"The best thing about him is you know he'll give you 110 percent each time he goes around. Doesn't matter the track or distance, he's always around the finish.

"Hopefully that's the same on Saturday."

Winner at 19 of his 45 starts for $182,500 in stakes, Christo Bale has drawn box two for Saturday's $75,000-to-the-winner blockbuster on the strength of Sunday's 36.92 heat win, gunning down WA visitor Zack Monelli right on the line.

"That was his third 650m at Sale and he's improved on the clock each time," Delbridge said.

"And more importantly he's pulled up better each time as well. After his first one he was a bit scratchy but last week he was better and this week a lot better again."

Tab.com.au have Christo Bale at $4.80 to annex Saturday's Gippsland feature where favouritism is firmly held by fastest qualifier Houdini Boy at $1.90.

"Houdini Boy is the one to beat; the dog's a freak but I can see there being a lot of trouble early and he might find some of it," Delbridge said.

"The dogs out wide will be charging across which might make the race for the pink (I'm Easy Boys).

"I'd prefer my dog drawn a bit wider but the main thing is that he gets a clear run. If he's right up there and Houdini Boy is back in trouble we're a chance.

"It's a race where there will be plenty happening. But with Houdini Boy he's never out of it – he showed that last week."

Western Australian chaser Zack Monelli is $5 third favourite for the final, the only other runner under double figure odds.

Group 1 Hume Cup winner Last Hurrah is $15 from box six while Weblec Ace – a recent 33.90 Sandown 595 metre winner – is $12 from box seven.

"There's some very good dogs there and whatever gets the most luck will probably win," Delbridge said.

"Dyna Dean was my first group 1 winner in the Rookie Rebel a few years back and this dog definitely deserves one.

"I knew from day one he was going to be a good dog but not this good. I'd love another two or three of him around the kennels.

“I've had some good dogs over the years like Flash Of Light, Tomac Bale and Dyna Dean and this dog is right up there. He gives his all every start which is all you can ask.”

 

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