If only you had a greyhound like this

With Fernando Bale, you'd have to suggest he is well on the way to breaking the records of the long list of star greyhounds.

Paul Dolan. Picture: Warren Lynam

A FEW weeks ago in this column, I highlighted the deeds of greyhound sires Fernando Bale and Barcia Bale.

From January 1 to April 30 this year, each dog sired the winners of more than $4 million in prizemoney Australia wide.

Since May 1, Fernando Bale has left Barcia Bale well behind.

There have been 12 group races run at tracks throughout Australia in May and June.

Would you believe that Fernando Bale is the sire of eight of those 12? It's true.

Breaking down the races into group categories, there were five group one events, four of which were won by progeny of Fernando Bale.

Bella Impared, an American dog, sired one winner.

There were two group two races.

Fernando Bale sired one of those winners, as did another American dog K C And All.

There were five group three races, four going to sons and daughters of Fernando Bale and one to Barcia Bale.

On the racetrack Fernando Bale won 35 of his 44 starts, including eight wins at group one level. He won $1,299,370 in prizemoney.

He is by American dog Kelso's Fusileer out of the Wheeler family's bitch Chloe Allen.

At $8800 per service, he's a goldmine for his owners.

Comparing champions of different eras, in any sport, is somewhat futile.

But with Fernando Bale, you'd have to suggest he is well on the way to breaking the records of the long list of star greyhounds to have stood at stud anywhere in the world.

Handy prizemoney

AN often asked question by people who don't follow greyhound racing closely is - how much prizemoney can a greyhound earn?

To win at the main Ipswich meeting of the week, which is Saturday night, a graded winner collects $1750.

On Tuesday and Friday meetings at Ipswich, it's $1400.

At Albion Park, it's $4025 to win a fifth grade on a Thursday night and $1750 on Monday.

The reaction usually is - I didn't think greyhounds ran for that much money.

A Fernando Bale is a one in several thousand greyhound to come along. But a handy consistent performer can give you, if not a windfall, a nice earn at the very least.

Feature races are worth more than fifth grades. Here is what the winner of each feature race at Ipswich for the rest of this year will earn:

Col Harris Gold Sovereign (July 14) $3500;

Grand Prix (July 21) $8260;

Derby, Futurity and Past members Trophy (September 15) each $8260;

Lady Trainers Stake and Breast Cancer Awareness Cup (September 29) each $3500;

Corporate Dollars Challenge (November 10) $8260;

City of Ipswich Gold Cup (November 22) $40,250;

Ipswich Sprint (November 22) $8260;

Dash for Cash (December 29) $3500.

Shortfall solution

ANOTHER question often asked is - why does Ipswich stage races over 288 metres on some Saturday nights ?

The answer is - races over that distance are added to make up a 10 event card if there is a shortfall of nominations for races over 431, 520 and 630 metres.

Last Saturday three of the 10 events run were over 288 metres.

Tomorrow night all racing is over 431 and 520 metres.

Is betting as keen on the 288 metres races compared to the longer events?

I've had a look at the turnover figures for the past few weeks on race one, in an effort to compare apples with apples.

In some cases, a 288 metres race has held more money than a 520 metres event of the same standard.

Consider this

WE are born free then taxed to death.