A brutally honest Kel Greenough says it would be “delusional” to contemplate upsetting superstar Fernando Bale in Friday night’s Group 2 Southern Cross Ten Bendigo Cup.
Greenough, who won the first of two Bendigo Cups held in 2014 with a mighty speedster of his own in Paw Licking, will tackle Fernando Bale with northern NSW recruits Billo’s Pick (Heat Replay) and Breathing Fire (Heat Replay).
However, Greenough says he’ll need more than numbers on his side to topple Andrea Dailly’s champion, which will be chasing his 15th straight victory after a record-breaking 23.39sec heat performance (Replay).
“To be honest, winning the race hasn’t even entered my thought process,” Greenough said.
“You’d have to be delusional to think you’re going to beat Fernando Bale!
“He’s a freak and is just about infallible with his brilliant box manners and explosive early speed. He’s the sort of dog you dream about training.
“He was beaten a couple of times early on but he hasn’t looked like getting beaten in his last 14 starts. He puts them away in the first couple of strides and the couple of times something has gone with him early he breaks them up in the second split like no other dog I’ve ever seen.
“I’ve been in the game a long time and it’s very hard to compare different eras but while Brett Lee had similar qualities I think Fernando Bale is probably better, in my opinion.
“You’d have to be delusional to think you’re going to beat Fernando Bale! I’ve been in the game a long time and it’s very hard to compare different eras but while Brett Lee had similar qualities I think Fernando Bale is probably better, in my opinion.”
- KEL GREENOUGH
“The only way you could beat him is if something happens to him and nobody wants to see that because he’s such a great dog and he’s a real positive for the sport. That’s something we really need at the moment so we should just sit back and enjoy watching him.”
While Greenough believes the Bendigo Cup is a foregone conclusion, he was pleased with the respective heat victories of Billo’s Pick (23.77sec) and Breathing Fire (23.88sec).
Billo’s Pick is also enjoying an impressive winning streak, having won his last eight starts, including five from five since relocating to Victoria, while Breathing Fire was first-up for Greenough in his Bendigo Cup heat.
“Both dogs came from the same area as Paw Licking. It’s just a great breeding ground for fast dogs,” said Greenough, whose attention will be divided on Friday with his beloved Hawthorn clashing with Collingwood in an MCG blockbuster.
“Billo’s Pick was injured at his last start at Sandown and we had to race to get him into the heats. We just made it but he was a fraction underdone.
“I haven’t had Breathing Fire for a long period of time and I didn’t really know a lot about him before he came down. I wouldn’t normally race a new dog to the kennel so quickly but the Hancocks sent him down in terrific order so I decided to pop him in the heats and see how he went.
“I’m just hoping one of them might be able to fill a place but even that’s going to be very tough.
“I think we’re looking at starters’ fees only and I’m going to miss Hawthorn playing Collingwood as well! I’ll try to keep one eye on the football and I’ll probably get a free feed so that will be something out of the wreck!”
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Watch: Paw Licking beats a star-studded field including Black Magic Opal and Ronan Izmir to win the Bendigo Cup in April 2014. He is pictured at the top of the page with trainer Kel Greenough after that win. Pic Clint Anderson.
