Yozo leads Wagga ‘Bale’ blitz

At his 99^th start, veteran country cups king and defending champion Yozo Bale will spearhead Correy and Samantha Grenfell’s bid for back-to-back victories in the Graeme Hull Memorial Wagga Cup final (525m) on Friday night.

The Anakie-based Grenfells claimed a clean-sweep of last Friday’s heats, courtesy of recent Group 1 Harrison-Dawson finalist Nikoli Bale (29.82sec) and Yozo Bale and last year’s runner-up Xavien Bale, which both clocked 30.05sec.

For the second year running, ‘Team Grenfell’ boasts four finalists in the $25,000 to-the-winner Wagga Cup, with Vayda Bale, also qualifying.

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The Grenfells will be striving to repeat – or perhaps even top – their 2021 trifecta, where Yozo Bale (29.84sec) defeated Xavien Bale and Usman Bale.

Their quartet has drawn the two inside and outside boxes – Vadya Bale (1), Xavien Bale (2), Yozo Bale (7) and Nikoli Bale (8).

Yozo Bale is TAB’s $2.70 favourite, ahead of Xavien Bale at $5.50; however, Correy Grenfell is tipping an upset and siding with $8.50 chance Nikoli Bale.

“Yozo Bale and Nikoli Bale are the two and I think ‘Nikoli’ is more favoured by the draw,” Grenfell said.

“I think ‘Yozo’ will probably drag ‘Nikoli’ into it. If ‘Nikoli’ lobs in the top two or three on the first corner, he’ll prove too good.

“Nikoli Bale was only a length and a half off the track record in his heat, but without playing favourites, Yozo Bale’s run was just outstanding. He got stuck behind Vayda Bale, who’s no slouch, making the Sapphire Crown final.

“Nikoli Bale is more suited over ‘500’ at this stage but ‘Yozo’ is still going great.

“It’s Yozo Bale’s 99^th start and it’s a bit of a shame it’s not his 100^th because it would be a dream to see him go out on the century, winning a cup.

“The way he’s going I’d say he’ll keep racing; honestly, he feels like he’s two again!”

Another young training couple, former pro wrestlers Daniel Gibbons, Samantha Grenfell’s cousin, and wife Rebecca will add to the imposing Victorian presence with multiple G1 finalist Titan Blazer, Kelsey Bale and Quinlan Bale, giving the Wheeler family and their ‘Bale’ breed six finalists.

The Gibbons are chasing what has become a frustratingly elusive first feature trophy, but they shouldn’t be expecting any family favours.

“I told him (Daniel Gibbons) he’s got to earn it and there’ll be no family until after the race!” Grenfell quipped.

Wagga Cup finalist Nikoli Bale winning the Listed Australian Sprint at Sandown in January.