Gibbons Resists Last Minute Sandgroper Bid

A POST Ballarat Cup discussion between owner Brendan Wheeler and trainer Daniel Gibbons ruled out a last minute entry to the rich The Sandgroper (520m) in WA for star race bitch Kelsey Bale.

Kelsey Bale (Feral Franky-Ethla Allen) produced a performance Daniel said today he “still could not believe” to come from last on the home turn to win the G2 Ballarat Cup (450m) in the very last stride.

She downed Unleash Collinda and littermate and kennelmate Quinlan Bale.

“We had three offers to take her to The Sandgroper but I spoke to Brendan and we decided against accepting,” he said.

“The bitch has not really travelled away as well as we would like and that made up our minds for us.”

Kelsey Bale took her career to 59 starts for 18 wins, 24 placings and $286,000.

“She will go to the Geelong Cup now and that is where she was pre-trained and her trial times there are amazing,” said Daniel.

‘Kelsey' from the clouds

KELSEY BALE overpowered her rivals in an outstanding last-to-first performance in the Group 2 @sportsbetcomau #BallaratCup Final.

KELSEY BALE has now won three Group races plus an #AustralianCup Consolation.
#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/eXHpytNWZe

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) April 7, 2023

“That run to win at Ballarat was amazing.

“Even better when you consider dogs can finish like that in 600 metre races and further, but to do it in a 450 metre race against that opposition is incredible.

“I thought her run to win the Silver Bullet was amazing, but this was at least as good.

“She's a very, very good bitch.”

Daniel and his family arrived back home on Monday from a holiday in Bali.

“It was good to get away,” he said.

“We have cut back on some of the team and have 45 in the kennels now.”

Kelsey Bale has also won the G2 Laurels, the Australian Cup Consolation, been second in a Perth Cup Consolation, third in the G1 Maturity, G1 Temlee, G3 Warragul St Leger and a finalist in the G2 Qld Futurity, G3 Gawler Cup, Wagga Cup and G3 Cup Night Sprint.