Compelling Addington Sprinting & Staying action
Peter Fenemor • November 13th, 2025 9:59 AM • 4 min read
Complementing the $100,000 NZ Cup final at Addington this evening are two other mouthwatering Group 1 finals.
The straight-out speed merchants will dash for glory in the $40,000 The Homekill Guys Galaxy Sprint Final, following four fast paced 295m semis last week.
Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie trained sprinters have dominated the Addington 295m races this season and the red-hot training partnership provided all four semifinal winners.
Included were two brothers from the electric Aussie Infrared and Isavana litter who were bred and are raced by Dave and his wife Jean. Together they have trained four previous Galaxy Sprint winners.
Everest Sky was handled by Wyllie when he powered to his Manukau Gr. 1 Railway Sprint (318m) win, and she’ll be doing likewise this evening following his 16.79 semi win.
“Everest Sky keeps on doing everything right and he has drawn to get a nice run,” said Fahey.
The Robin Wales led Opawa Racing team has enjoyed considerable success with the Fahey kennels over the last couple of decades.
They have savoured five NZ Cup wins, while they also won last year’s Galaxy Sprint final with Opawa Marsh, conditioned by the Fahey’s.
Opawa Mocha continues to deliver sizzling sprints as seen in his 16.53 semi win. “He’s capable of running real quick times as seen in his semi. His draw is okay for him,” confirmed Fahey.
Mocha’s sister Opawa April is another speed freak, and she dashed to her 16.73 semi win.
“She’s racing really good at the moment, and her draw is good for her,” said Fahey.
Fahey and Wyllie trained all four semifinal winners, however Dingo Night has been scratched from the final with the Matt Roberts and Jack Johnson trained Smoking Ivan taking his place in the one-trap, which definitely helps him.
(Could it be a Fahey & Wyllie trifecta in the Galaxy Sprint tonight at Addington? CLICK HERE to see the TAB Market for tonight's Gr.1 Sprint. R18 - Bet responsibly)
An emotional NZ Stayers Cup looms
Sure, the freakish Matt Roberts and Jack Johnson mentored star stayer Chief Dribble is all the rage to make it back-to-back victories in the $40,000 Rose & Thistle New Zealand Stayers Cup.
The curtain will be drawn on the 129-career race for the Bob Pringle bred, owned and trained Geraldine wonder Grande Vue Ace, who is affectionally known as GVA.
“This will be her last outing – she deserves to have this opportunity followed by her retirement afterwards.
“It will be a fitting farewell for GVA. She has been storming home in her recent 525m races, and I know she will give her best on Thursday, even though its likely to be a minor placing.
“You can treat this race as the completion of a farewell tour. She has given me nearly four years of touring the country on what I call my “working holidays”, which we have thoroughly enjoyed.
“Thursday will be a fitting farewell for her, and it is now time to give GVA her deserved reward – retirement,” reflected Pringle about the 2023 NZ Stayers Cup victor.
Chief Dribble is a lethal stayer as we saw when he crushed his rivals when delivering his freewheeling 43.07 732m win last week.
Surely only shocking racing luck can beat last year’s effortless winner of this race.
“Chief Dribble has a good draw on paper and if he leads out it should be all over with the way he raced on Wednesday. There are times when he can get a wee bit awkward. He can lead out and win, or he can take a sit and win,” advised Roberts.
The Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie prepared Opawa Shirley has been valiantly matching her paws against gun stayers in her latest staying assignments.
She was gallant when going under to Chief Dribble by 6.30 lengths last week in her first race over the Addington 732m distance.
“Hopefully she crosses Chief Dribble early. She has been doing a tremendous job in her staying races, and she’s set to deliver another competitive race,” confirmed Fahey.
(Can Chief Dribble be beaten? CLICK HERE to see the full TAB Market for tonight's Rose & Thistle New Zealand Stayers Cup at Addington. R18 - Bet responsibly)
