Bedrock Fred ready for almighty Group 1 challenge
Top grade South Australian stayer Bedrock Fred will looking to claim his first Group 1 victory on Saturday night when he lines up in the Perth Galaxy. With the heats being run last weekend, Bedrock Fred was able to push his way through to the final, when he ran a fast finishing second. It’s been good journey back from Fred, after injuring his achilles at the end of the last year, which is a generally difficult injury to return from. Whilst Fred will certainly be meeting a red hot field which has some genuine stars of the sport, it’s exciting for co-trainer Cherylee Barber who will be hoping for a bit of luck in the race.
“You’re up against the best of the best and to get in is an absolute effort and a half. He actually had the fastest run home time of the heats. We’ll just have to wait and see, we’ll be ecstatic if he actually places.” said Cherylee
“He’s a chance but can’t afford to stand up dogs like that again, he needs to jump and stay on the leader's tail, but anything can happen.”
It looked unlikely that Fred would qualify when he came out poorly, but his tenacity and strength saw him get in by a length.
“We were devastated when he missed the kick, then when they went past the 700 boxes again, I saw him making a move and said to Stewart ‘he’s coming!’. He kept mowing them down and we were screaming the house down.”
Bedrock Fred is currently in the care of Steve and Krystal Shinners with the connection coming from close friend Gavin Harris, who purchased a dog off Shinners many years ago.
“He was over there exactly 1 week and 1 day before the heats, we got him over there as soon as we could so that he could have a look at the track.”
“Steve and his wife are over the moon with him, Steve said that he can’t believe his run home.”
After the huge run in the heat, Fred has pulled up and will be heading to the track in perfect order.
“We’re in and that’s all that matters. As owners and trainers we are all just very excited that he’s in there, it’s his second group 1 final.”
“Steve is pleased with the fact that he has pulled up really well, we said if you walk into the kennels the morning after and he’s bouncing around then you're laughing.”
Cherylee and connections will be staying in Adelaide to watch the Group 1 final.
“I’ll be watching from home with the retired greyhounds, it’s vintage time so Stewie (Barber) is flat out picking grapes. Micheal (Ceravolo - Part owner) has it set up that he will watch from home as well.”
All the best to Bedrock Fred on Saturday, I’m sure he will do SA proud!
