Third time lucky for ‘hometown hero’, Yozo Bale

[Wandering Eyes]

‘Ultimate warrior’ Yozo Bale finally cracked a Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup (520m) tonight at his third attempt!

One of six ‘local’ finalists in the $50,000 to-the-winner event, Yozo Bale ($5.10) – trained at Anakie by Correy Grenfell – stalked early leader Aston Merit ($5.00) throughout before finishing strongly to score by two and a half lengths in a slick 29.69sec – only three lengths off the track record.

The heavily backed Substantial ($3.50F) was a further three-quarters of a length away third in completing a ‘Geelong region’ trifecta.

Yozo Bale, a four-year-old veteran, finished second last year and eighth in 2020. He was quoted by TAB pre-post as a $16.00 chance to take out this year’s Cup.

Incredibly, Grenfell also finished second with Orson Allen (2018) and third with Tiggerlong Tonk (2020).

The racecaller summed it up perfectly when he said: “It’s a fairytale finish for Yozo Bale… He cracks the Geelong Cup at the third time… What a time… This will be a popular, popular victory.”

Indeed, Yozo Bale was the ‘sentimental favourite’ and Grenfell, 28 – who paid tribute to his wife, Samantha – could hardly contain his excitement.

“He’s a great old dog, he gives everything each start. If not for injuries through his career, he would have doubled his prizemoney. It’s a thrill to have him.”

Yozo Bale (Mar ’18 Fernando Bale x Purcell Bale) notched his 31st win (with 28 seconds and six thirds) from 93 starts. His stakes spiralled to $380,101.

GEELONG GOLD CUP
Final standings

YOZO BALE (Correy Grenfell)
ASTON MERIT (Jessica Sharp)
SUBSTANTIAL (Anthony Azzopardi)
29.69sec

2022 GEELONG GOLD CUP

WATCH: After ASTON MERIT (B2) set a cracking pace, it was a case of third time lucky for four-year-old veteran YOZO BALE (B3), who won the Geelong Gold Cup after running 8th in the race in 2020 and 2nd in 2021.

2022 GEELONG GOLD CUP NIGHT DISTANCE

WATCH: They bunched late but it was GRACLYN BALE (7) who got the nod at $36.50, defeating a star-studded line-up in the $9,450 Cup Night Distance Special Event over BOOM LATERAL (1) and GOLDEN QUEST (3).

2022 GARY BRETT MEMORIAL MATCH RACE

WATCH: The inaugural $10K winner-take-all Gary Brett Memorial Match Race was a beauty, with ORLANDO (3) stunning onlookers by running down the highly-fancied TITAN BLAZER (1) in a classic, paying $3.00 for the win.

GEELONG GOLD
CUP NIGHT
Feature race winners

• $10,000 Gary Brett Memorial
  Match Race: Orlando
• $9,450 Cup Night Distance: Graclyn Bale

The ‘country cups king’ has also won the 2020 Bendigo Cup and 2020 Ballarat Cup. He was runner-up in the 2021 Group 1 Temlee, 2022 Ballarat Cup and 2021 Warrnambool Cup.
Grenfell also had Unathi Bale ($19.00), which finished sixth, in the final.

But leading into the final, it was all about Yozo Bale: “He’s going as good as he was 12 months ago,” Grenfell said. “He’s all class and to be where he is at his age is unbelievable.

Grenfell admits the ‘curtain call’ for Yozo Bale is imminent.

“He’s close to retirement, but I’ve nominated him for the Masters Meteor at Wentworth Park in Sydney and I’m also contemplating the Warrnambool Cup.”

“I’d like to get him to 100 starts – that would be a real milestone.”

Yozo Bale, Correy and Samantha Grenfell with GRV and Geelong GRC representatives.

Handler Samantha Grenfell was all smiles after the Geelong Gold Cup.

Trainer Corey Grenfell lets out a fist pump after Yozo Bale’s win.

Yozo Bale is rugged by GRV Board Member Bill Buccilli.

Yozo Bale storms to victory in the Geelong Gold Cup.

Yozo Bale was a popular winner of the Geelong Gold Cup.

Yozo Bale was first past the post in the Geelong Gold Cup.

Yozo Bale with Correy and Samantha Grenfell.

Trainer Lee Moore after Orlando’s surprise match race victory.

Orlando after winning the inaugural Gary Brett Memorial Match Race.

Orlando (3) defeats Titan Blazer (1) in a thrilling match race.

Orlando and connections are flaked by Geelong GRC Manager Ray Bartolo and GRV Board Member Daniel Nugent.

Graclyn Bale (7) wins the Cup Night Distance Special Event in a blanket finish.

Handler Shaun Coulson with Graclyn Bale.

Photos by Clint Anderson

Pawnote: The G2 Geelong Gold Cup series was the third leg of the ‘Western Festival of Racing’. The fourth and final leg is the Warrnambool Cup (May 4).  

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