Fernando Bale tribute ahead of Cup Final

By Josh Spasaro

Townsville trainer Ross Rudall has paid prolific sire Fernando Bale the ultimate compliment on the eve of the North Queensland Cup Final on Tuesday night.

His two-year-old bitch Hopefully Fast will line up from box six in the $24,000 feature over 498 metres.

Out of Sandave Sky, she is by Fernando Bale, the sport’s greatest ever greyhound.

The legendary dog nicknamed Nandy passed away last week.

He won eight Group 1s and went on to become the code’s number one stud dog.

“He was a cultural phenomenon in the greyhound industry. And, he was really loved,” Rudall said.

“Just the things people say about him and how the owners and trainers feel. You can tell he was really cared about.

“Even my son, he’s nine. He was sad to hear the news.”

Rudall said Hopefully Fast was ready to honour Fernando Bale’s legacy in the quality race on Tuesday night.

“She’s always a chance if she jumps. That’s her strongest part – getting in front. Catch her if you can,” Rudall said.

“And, if you do, you deserve it. She’s drawn box six and to me, it’s not so much about what box she draws.

“It’s what box the others draw. She can usually jump from any box, but it doesn’t really matter to me what box she draws.

“There are so many good dogs in that race.”

Despite being run down last start, Rudall has been delighted with Hopefully Fast’s form going into the North Queensland Cup Final.

The two-year-old bitch qualified by finishing runner-up and one-and-a-quarter lengths behind Navabi for Hayley Wooler in her heat last Tuesday night.

She led by three lengths on the back straight before Navabi passed her on her inside at the turn for home.

Hopefully Fast has recorded four wins and six runner-up finishes from her past 11 starts.

“She’s been really consistent. I think I looked at her in her past (six) starts and they’ve all been firsts and seconds,” Rudall said.

“They’ve included the Townsville Cup and heats, the Futurity heats and she won the Futurity. They’ve all been big races over the past six races.

“And, we treat her well. We don’t over-race her. We’ve created an environment so she can do that.

“I think we’ve done the right thing by her.”

Fellow two-year-old bitch Navabi ran the fastest North Queensland Cup heat time to prevail in 28.49 seconds, with Hopefully Fast crossing the line in 28.58 seconds.

Rudall was happy with her effort.

“Navabi ran a good time and she comes from some good trainers, the Woolers. So, I wasn’t surprised at all when she caught up to ours and went on the inside,” Rudall said.

“Maybe if Hopefully Fast stuck to the rail she might’ve made it a bit harder. If Navabi had to go around, it might’ve been a different story. But, you’ve got to give credit where it’s due.

“I think she still got the third-fastest time in the heats, even though she came second.”

Townsville is known for the turn that greets chasers right out of the boxes in 498 metre races.

But, it is not something that has troubled Hopefully Fast so far.

“Right from the start as soon as we started putting her in the 498 metre races, it’s just something about it she really likes it,” Rudall said.

“It’s nice when that happens, it just falls into place.”

In a high-class Final field also featuring Southpaw McGraw, Solomon Cain and Maisie Moo Moo – who have all won their past two starts – Rudall said Hopefully Fast’s efficiency out of the lids would come in handy.

“There are a lot of really good dogs. And, I don’t think it’s a coincidence – there are a lot of really good trainers, too,” he said.

“I think anyone can win on Tuesday night. The only chance we give ourselves is if she can get out early and stay out of trouble and steady the course. Then she’s got a chance.”