Highly underrated stayer Drako Bale was ‘breathing fire’ in tonight’s $37,250 Group 3 KCR Pet Transport Fireball final (730m) at The Meadows.
Drako translates as “dragon” in Greek mythology, but a $25,000 first prize was reality for trainer Andrea Dailly . (She finished third with Zipping Ticket in last year’s final.)
Ironically, Drako Bale ($12.10) slayed his rivals with a sizzling frontrunning performance from box six. He defeated a gallant Jarick Bale ($3.50) by 2.9L, with Play Nice ($8.90) a further 0.5L away third in 43.07sec.
Fastest heat winner Rohan Bale ($2.80F) – a younger half-brother of Jarick Bale and prepared by ‘Team Gibbons’ – encountered more trouble than the early explorers. He continued the Group race ‘curse’ being experienced by former pro wrestlers Daniel and Rebecca Gibbons.
Drako Bale (Apr ’19 Dyna Villa x Fanta Bale) notched his 10th win, with 19 seconds and 10 thirds, from 63 starts. His stakes jumped to $119,048.
A son of all-time great Fanta Bale – Australia’s highest prizemoney earner ($1,365,175) – Drako Bale snared his first Group race win at his sixth attempt.
Last year, he was a finalist in in G1 Bold Trease (715m) at Sandown Park and G1 Sale Cup (650m). And earlier this month, he was a finalist in the G1 Queensland Cup (710m) at Albion Park in Brisbane.
WATCH: Drako Bale (6) leads all the way in the Fireball to claim the $25,000 first prize.
