The sport’s young ‘flying femmes’ line up for six heats of the Group 2 Laurels Classic (515m) at Sandown Park on Thursday night.
Avalon’s Daniel Gibbons has his hopes pinned on a ‘terrific triumvirate’ – Yahiro Bale (Race 5), Kelsey Bale (Race 8) and Piscopo Bale (Race 9).
All three are Sportsbet fixed odds favourites in their respective heats – Yahiro Bale (Heat 2 – $2.30), Kelsey Bale (Heat 5 – $1.60) and Piscopo Bale (Heat 6 – $2.45).
Based on current prices, a ‘Multi on the trio is an enticing $9.00.
Gibbons is hoping to go one better than last year when Gracie Bale was runner-up to Idolize in the Laurels. He also finished sixth with Valeska Bale.
This year, Kelsey Bale heads his three-pronged challenge in the all-female series.
Kelsey Bale has more than a touch of class, having finished third to Wow She’s Fast in the G1 Maturity Classic. She won the G3 Silver Bullet and was a finalist in the G3 Warragul St Leger (3rd), G3 Cup Night Sprint (5th) and G3 Gawler Gold Cup (5th).
Meanwhile, Yahiro Bale won the G3 SA Oaks and Piscopo Bale – a litter sister of Kelsey Bale – finished third in the Geelong Oaks and contested the Launching Pad Consolation.
Other leading contenders in the heats include Magic Muffin (Heat 1 – $2.90), Baby Jaycee (Heat 3 – $2.25) and Guelph (Heat 4 – $1.95).
Below is a summary of the heats:
Heat 1 (Race 4 – 7.55pm)
Appears a three-way tussle between Magic Muffin (Box 2) – two from three, including a 29.55sec PB – G1 Peter Mosman Opal winner Embrace (Box 1) and Jackpot Joan (Box 5), which has a 29.62sec PB.
Heat 2 (Race 5 – 8.13pm)
The ‘green’ alley looms as the only obstacle for Yahiro Bale (Box 6), nine from 20 and undefeated from two starts here with a 29.39sec PB – albeit Holy Smoke (Box 8) – four from 10, including two from four here with a 29.48sec PB – is well in commission.
Heat 3 (Race 6 – 8.37pm)
Highly underrated Baby Jaycee (Box 3) – 10 from 18, including a 29.34sec PB – will take a power of beating. However, punters have also shown support for Ailee Bale (Box 2) – 8 from 16, including a 29.28sec PB – and Amron Lass (Box 8) – a litter sister of Amron Boy.
Click HERE for Sportsbet’s Laurels Classic heats market
Heat 4 (Race 7 – 8.58pm)
Star NSW speedster Guelph (Box 2) – six from 13 – stifles betting, with Xoie Bale (Box 5) – five from 10 – appearing her only threat.
Heat 5 (Race 8 – 9.22pm)
Kelsey Bale (Box 5) – 15 from 45, including a 29.36sec PB – has the class edge and is all the rage, although Responder (Box 3) – four from seven, including a 29.33sec PB – was simply devastating here last week and looks the real deal.
Heat 6 (Race 9 – 9.43pm)
Piscopo Bale (Box 3) – eight from 41, including a 29.49sec PB – is hit or miss early but has a monster engine. Dotty’s Gift – four from 10 – looms as the main danger.
WATCH: KELSEY BALE (B5) “powered away” to defeat AMRON BOY (B3) in the G3 Silver Bullet at The Meadows on October 31.
