Her owner may be a schoolteacher, but Bella Una was the one who dished out the lesson on Saturday night as she romped her way to a memorable Ladbrokes Country Classic victory at Dubbo.
The Jack and Maree Smith-trained daughter of Feral Franky speared out of a seemingly unsuitable Box 8 draw and led from go to woah in a bold front running performance.
The time of 34.72 a new personal best as she beat home kennelmate Palawa King by 2.5 lengths, with Might Have Been finishing third for Minnie Finn.
“I was confident she’d run well, she just had to get across and there was a little bit of pushing and shoving on the inside…she’s been going enormous,” Jack Smith said after the race.
“We’ve got a lot of syndicates going and they’re not all as successful as that one of course, but he’s [owner Mick Sheather] having a ball. He’s got five kids, he’s bought a greyhound, I don’t know how he’s talked his wife into it but good on him.”
Bella Una claiming her first feature race final after appearances in both the 2023 Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal and Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase deciders.
The win taking her career earnings to a shade over $200,000 after 36 starts for connections.
“It’s a bit surreal to tell you the truth hey…30 seconds went fast but at the same time, I thought “Stay in front” and she did remarkably well,” an excited Sheather said.
“I remember coming here for her very first race, she came out like a rocket in that first race and she won that one and so it’s a similar feeling, couldn’t believe my luck when she came around that corner in front like she did.”
“Jack was interviewed last week about 10 minutes before the box draw and said she needs to draw inside, he gave her the kiss of death and she got 8. But we’d seen her start really well before so it wasn’t out of the question but it was unlikely but she did remarkably well.”
The 44-year-old FORBES local quick to laud his training power couple.
“The big win for me has been being with Jack and Maree and meeting terrific people and I think that’s half of it isn’t it, match yourself with good people and good things happen,” Sheather added.
“We ended up with a remarkable dog and Jack and Maree have done an absolutely wonderful job with her…just pinching myself that we’ve made it into these big races and to win it, it’s pretty incredible.”
Maree and Jack Smith after the Ladbrokes Country Classic win. Photo: Jason McKeown
The Smith’s also thrilled with the series performance of Palawa King.
The camp now setting their sights on the third running of ‘The 715’ in May at The Gardens.
“We didn’t actually think the race [Country Classic] would suit him and it’s turned out a little bit that way, but we’ve filled in a couple of weeks and he’s picked up a few bob so we’re not complaining.”
