Miles To Unleash Some Cannonball Thunda

Astute Hunter trainer John Miles is optimistic exciting littermates Blue Bronte and Laurie's Flyer can continue the promising starts to their careers at Richmond on Friday night in the heats of the prestigious Kevin Waters Towing Cannonball (400m).

Blue Bronte, the winner of six of her eight starts, and Laurie's Flyer, which has won 10 from 14, are members of the high-flying March '18 Fernando Bale – Blue Thunda litter, bred by Miles' daughter-in-law Noelene Walsh.

The litter also includes Lately, which has won seven from 11 for Branxton-based Miles.

"They're good dogs; they're doing their best," said Miles.

"I'd probably like to say Blue Bronte is the best. They're all pretty even in the times they run, but Blue Bronte is a couple of tenths quicker early.

"I've been taking notice of their run home times and I don't think they'll have much trouble getting the 500.

"But I don't want to sacrifice them too early. Every dog will run 500 but it's how they run it. If they're not ready or they can't run it, it can take the edge off their early speed over 400m.

"Patience is a big tick in greyhound racing."

Miles will launch a three-pronged assault on the three heats of the $5000 to-the-winner Cannonball via Blue Bronte (heat 2, box 1), Laurie's Flyer (heat 3, box 6) and their older half-sister Sliced Bread (heat 1, box 7), a daughter of Magic Sprite that's won seven from 22.

The trio all made their debuts at Richmond last Saturday in preparation for the Cannonball, with Laurie's Flyer an impressive winner over 330m, clocking 18.66s, while Blue Bronte and Sliced Bread ran second and fourth over 400m.

"The Cannonball has a bit of prestige but it's a shame the prizemoney hasn't gone up with the trend," Miles offered.

"I'm pretty happy with the way they've drawn. Naturally, I would have liked three box 1s but I can't have that!

"I'd say Laurie's Flyer is probably the better bet because Blue Bronte is racing against Caviar Quality (30 wins from 44 starts for leading local trainer Sam Sultana, including 11 of her last 12). 

"Caviar Quality is definitely the one to beat but I did notice that Blue Bronte ran a slightly faster first section at Richmond last week (8.13s to 8.16s). She lost the home bend a bit last week but she'd never been there before. None of the three had been there before so I'd expect them to go a bit better this week."

"I wanted to take them away from where they've been racing because they can get a bit stale."

While the Fernando Bale litter are still forging their reputations, Miles is already looking ahead to Blue Thunda's third litter, five pups by another super sire in Barcia Bale, whelped in December.