A share of the huge prizemoney on offer in last night’s invitational Top Gun at the Meadows in Melbourne will find its way north to Queensland.

            The Paul Wheeler owned Graeme Bate trained David Bale wore down his kennelmate Desalle Bale in a finish which resembled horse racing’s W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley a few hours earlier where Ocean Park gunned down All Too Hard in the dying metres of the race..

            Queensland owned Don’t Knocka Him (pictured winning at Albion Park) made plenty of ground from back in the field to claim third prize of $21,500 for owner Reg Kay and trainer Jason Thompson.

            The Wheeler – Bate combination took first prize of $150,000 and second which was worth $43,000.

            Race favourite, the Tony Brett trained Queenslander Glen Gallon, was slowly away from box one and finished fifth.

            In an amazing performance, Hall of Fame trainer Bate landed the quinella in the Top Gun for the second year running. Last year Allen Hertz beat Radley Bale. Last night’s quinella wasn’t predicted by many, even by Bate who conceded before the race that David Bale faced a huge task, being a keen railer, drawn box eight.

            David Bale, a son of Bartrim Bale and Dyna Beauty, was originally the first reserve and gained a start when New South Wales representative Bye Bye Bucks was scratched due to injury.

            Desalle Bale pinged out of box five to lead the field by the first turn, with David Bale cleverly working across into second place from his wide draw.

            David Bale paid $18.30 for a win on Tattsbet and the quinella paid $63.00.

            Six heats of the Hume Cup were run at the Meadows last night over 600 metres.

            Prolific Albion Park, Ipswich and Capalaba winner Migaloo Magic finished fourth in his heat for Ray Burman. The dog was unlucky. When positioned second outside the joint leader, Sisco Hero, with a lap to go, Migaloo Magic was carted right off the track going around the turn out of the straight when Sisco Hero speared wide.

            The fastest Hume Cup heat winner was Andrea Dailly’s Franklin Hero in 34.55. The $75,000 to the winner final will be run at the Meadows on Monday night, November 5.

 

Story by Paul Dolan, photo by Corey Pearce.