How Ned Came To Steal Lord's Heart

WHEN you run your hands over as many dogs as Andy Lord does, they do become a commodity but every now and then one comes along that steals your heart and for the top trainer, that dog is Bandit Ned.

The blue brindle son of Fernando Bale has won 20 of his 33 starts for earnings of more than $210,000 but to this day the dog's desire continues to be questioned.

"He's a funny boy Ned, he's a beautiful dog," Lord said. "People say he's not 100 per cent that dog but he's won 20 out of 30 so he must be around 75 per cent.

"I love him but he's a pest. He starts barking when you get up in the morning but he's been here since the day he was born and he's a special dog to me.

Bandit goes BANG ?

Bandit Ned takes the G1 Vic Peters in a blistering 29.47 at @WPGrey! pic.twitter.com/kEpo4UtPwb

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 16, 2021

"He's the result of a long-term plan, we bought his grand dam (J's Robin) from America. She's still alive and she's here as a pet."

On Saturday night ‘the Bandit' will line up for start 34 in a Non-Graded Stakes over the 520m where he will launch from the inside draw having won three of eight starts previously off the rails box.

This night last year he landed a career highlight with an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic.

Lord said the coming months could see changes with his kennel star.

"He has won two of his last four at Wentworth Park, but I just think Ned needs a bit of a change over the next couple of months," he said. "I'm going to trial him over six and seven hundred. I think he'll run it.

"I don't think he's done with yet. I still think there's something big in him.

"Ned does what he wants to do when he wants to do it but watch out when he does want to do it."