Back-to-back Jarick!

[Wandering Eyes]

Balliang’s “Team Delbridge” juggernaut rolled on when middle-distance marvel Jarick Bale steamrolled his rivals in the $120,335 Group 1 TRFM Sale Cup (650m) on Boxing Day.

Jarick Bale became only the second greyhound to secure successive Sale Cups, joining Wylie Boy (1995-96) – albeit he won those finals over the 511-metre sprint trip.

It was Jarick Bale’s third G1 victory, and he continued his love affair with Sale’s 650m journey – six wins from eight starts.

Trained by Mark Delbridge, Jarick Bale ($7.20) accelerated quickly from the ‘black’ trap (Box 7) to score a commanding 4.4L win over Dookie Devil ($3.10F) with his kennelmate, G1 Melbourne Cup winner Yachi Bale ($5.40) – handled by Delbridge’s wife Lisa – a further 0.2L away third in 37.09sec.

Jarick Bale (Mar ’19 Allen Deed x Houston Bale) notched his 36^th win from 91 starts and the $75,000 first prize spiralled his stakes to $551,293.

Delbridge also finished fourth with Jarick Bale’s older half-brother Christo Bale in 2020 and fourth with Chrichton Bale in 2015.

In the lead-in to the final, Delbridge couldn’t ‘split’ his dynamic duo: “I think they can both win it… They’re much of a muchness. The only difference is that Jarick Bale is proven over 650m, while Yachi Bale is the up-and-comer.”

And they certainly proved prophetic words!

Delbridge is now eyeing the G1 invitational Rookie Rebel (600m) – held during the Australian Cup Carnival in February – with Jarick Bale.

Other feature final winners on a star-studded start to the Gippsland Festival of Racing were:

• $14,960 James Yeates Printing Rising Stars (440m) – Akina Jack ($4.40) – 24.93sec (T: Phillip Rowley)
• $14,960 Ed Fountain Removals Summer Cup (520m) – Rufiano ($9.20) – 29.51sec (T: Ricky Jarvis)
• $14,960 Waugh Family Festival Launch (440m) – River Rough ($1.40F) – 25.06sec (T: Des Douch)
• $11,500 TRFM Cup Night Match Race (650m) – Extreme Jewel ($1.40F) – 37.31sec (T: Vicki Wisener)
• $8125 Catch The Thief @ Stud (440m) – Action Girl ($1.30F) – 24.71sec (T: Gary Peach)

WATCH: JARICK BALE (B7) lands his second Sale Cup in a row with a stunning 37.09sec all-the-way victory.

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