A kennelmate proved far too strong for him in the heats, but Correy Grenfell rates Yozo Bale the best of his chances in the Graeme Hull Memorial Cup (525m) at Wagga on Friday.
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Grenfell and wife Samantha Ferguson will line up four of the eight runners in the richest ever addition of Wagga's feature race.
Yozo Bale came into the series with two placings in group two finals.
After drawing box eight for the $25,000-to-the-winner final, Grenfell backed Yozo Bale to go one better this time around.
"Yozo got the wobbles up in the first corner, the second corner and again into the home straight so he will be the biggest improver and couldn't have drawn any better," Grenfell said.
"I'm confident with Yozo from the box draw."
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Usman Bale finished more than five lengths in front of Yozo Bale, who has won 22 of his 59 starts and over $200,000 in prizemoney, in their heat.
Grenfell believes the lightly-raced dog has huge potential and showed it to qualify fastest for the final.
However he gives away
"Yozo is obviously the best dog we brought here but Usman well I've got a massive rap on the dog," he said.
"He's one of the quickest dogs I've ever had and he's only 13 starts in.
"He's going to be something in the making."
It's a big statement from someone who has put a collar on a number of group one winners, including Wagga owned Tiggerlong Tonk.
However Usman Bale has a strong record, winning five of those 13 starts with another two placings.
Usman Bale has drawn box five in the final and will start outside kennemate Xavien Bale, who was just fractionally slower in the heats.
Knicks Bale, who finished second behind Cha Cha Charlie, has come up with the one box.
Grenfell believes it could suit after being sent out as a $71 chance last week.
"She is a funny bitch and is as talented as the rest of them in the car," he said.
"The rails run is going to suit her and she is a running dog so will be a sitting duck waiting for the right run but if the rail doesn't open she won't open.
"I wouldn't be surprised if she could win it from there."
None of the four finalists had been to Wagga before their heat runs.
Grenfell believes all of his runners will be better suited in the final after experiencing the track for the first time last week.
"They will find I'd say a minimum of five lengths," he said.
The Graeme Hull Memorial Cup is race eight on a bumper night for the club.
The first of 11 races starts at 7.06pm.