Yozo Bale brought his A-Game to Cranbourne tonight, stamping his authority on the Trios Winter Cup series.
The 26-month-old son of Fernando Bale and Purcell Bale clocked an exceptional 29.78sec, just three lengths off the track record and clearly the fastest of the five heat winners.
Trained by Correy Grenfell, Yozo Bale made it three wins from his past four starts and nine from 22 overall when defeating Aston Gwen by three lengths.
Another stunning performance on the night came from Vesper Bale, who got up at the huge odds of $57.80, with red-hot favourite Captain Jake eliminated from the series after finishing third in the same race.
The $20,000 to-the-winner Trios Winter Cup final will be run on Saturday week.
2020 TRIOS WINTER CUP
Saturday 20 June – 520m – $20,000 first prize
1 ASTON GWEN (Michelle Mallia, Avalon)
2 PERCY’S MAGIC (Nathan Rooney, Nilma North)
3 MANILA KNIGHT (Mario Briganti, Tuerong)
4 HOUDINI BOY (Kelvyn Greenough, Pearcedale)
5 PHILIDELPHIA PIP (Jason Sharp, Lara)
6 YOZO BALE (Correy Grenfell, Mount Wallace)
7 ANNIE ROSE (Sharon-Lee Chignell)
8 VESPER BALE (Steve Collins, Pearcedale)
Reserves
9 SHANLYN ROB (Stan Ralph, Tooradin)
10 ONE NIGHT ONLY (Kelvyn Greenough, Pearcedale)
HEAT WINNERS (fastest to slowest):
YOZO BALE 29.78sec (Best)
MANILA KNIGHT 30.01sec
PERCY’S MAGIC 30.08sec
PHILIDELPHIA PIP 30.17sec
VESPER BALE 30.28sec
WATCH: Yozo Bale (3) takes out his heat in dominant fashion running 29.78sec (Best).