Crunch time as the Greyhounds race towards the Cup
Peter Fenemor • November 6th, 2024 10:26 AM
Wednesday evening is crunch time for the connections of greyhounds who hold Group 1 aspirations with final field positions for three Black Type races to be decided for the rich November 14 Springston Hotel New Zealand Cup meeting at the Addington Raceway.
Five competitive 525m heats will sort out the field for the $100,000 Springston Hotel New Zealand Cup. The five heat winners will be joined by the fastest three second place-getters in the decider.
The NZ Cup heats are dominated by greyhounds mentored from the nation’s leading kennels operated by Lisa Cole and Dave and Jean Fahey.
Here are the pre-heat comments from both kennels, along with their respective TAB Futures (All In) market quotes.
Springston Hotel NZ Cup heat 1 (M9 R7)
2 Boom Dynamite ($26 & $6): He returned from a spell to deliver an eye-catching close up second at Hatrick on Friday.
“Boom Dynamite can only improve after going a terrific race when coming back from a massive lay off.” Brendon Cole.
8 He’s All Go ($3.50 &$1.50): He stylishly secured his 29th career win (from 35 races) when delivering his swift 29.87 Hatrick Friday 520m win.
“We are pleased with He’s All Go’s race last week. In saying that he must get onto the lure and if he does he has the ability to get the job done.” Brendon Cole
5 Opawa Archer ($26 & $6): Bold effort when he was caught late in a quickly run Thursday 525m.
“He’s going good and hopefully he’ll cut across to the rail.” Dave Fahey.
8 Sefton Heights ($41 & $9): He enjoys racing from the eight-trap as seen by his 30.41 525m win three races ago.
“He loves drawing out wide and I expect him to push forward from there.” Dave Fahey.
Springston Hotel NZ Cup heat 2 (M9 R8)
2 Opawa Katrina ($41 & $8.50): She has been sighted pressing on during the run home in her latest 525m assignments.
“She’s improved a lot lately, racing much better. Her draw is good for her.” Dave Fahey.
8 Nail It ($61 & $12): He tends to be rather hit or miss at the jump. He’s good when he hits.
“He an in or out dog. It depends on what he does on the day. He’s capable.” Dave Fahey.
3 Russian Ahead ($41 & $8.50): She produced a sound Friday Hatrick 520m third. Ran a tidy 525m third here four races ago when on track debut.
“Her draw is good for her and she’s very hard to get past if she gets onto the lure.” Brendon Cole
Springston Hotel NZ Cup heat 3 (M9 R9)
2 Johnny Football ($26 & $6): Forgive him for his last start 527m miss. Potent prior 30.06 527m winner. Won his only 525m race here in a tidy 30.25.
“Johnny Football has raced really well down there before. Forget about his last Auckland race when he got bashed up. He’s best from the inside and he’ll run out his race strongly.” Brendon Cole
8 So Strict ($81 & $17): Ran a sound Friday Hatrick warm up 520m third. She must bounce away quickly from her wide draw.
“The draw for So Strict makes it very hard for her. We have NZ Oaks plans for her.” Brendon Cole
4 Opawa Shirley ($9 & $2.60): Broke the 525m track record here when running her slick 29.92. She races generously around this circuit.
“I would have preferred to have her on the rail. She’s a one-pace dog who is very strong.” Dave Fahey.
Springston Hotel NZ Cup heat 4 (M9 R10)
1 Bandit Dan ($41 & $8.50): He was bold when delivering his 3.70 length Thursday second behind kennelmate Opawa Hugo which was run in 525m track record time.
“He raced really good last week and is draw is alright for him.” Dave Fahey.
8 Opawa Hugo ($14 & $3.40): He was sublime in the manner that he produced his Thursday 29.86 525m track record when resuming from a freshen-up.
“I would have preferred him to have drawn closer to the rail. He really impressed last week and he’s in good condition going into Wednesday.” Dave Fahey.
4 Fear To Tread ($21 & $5): She returns here after recording a pair of recent slick sub 30-second Hatrick pace-making 520m wins.
“She is doing everything right so far and she’s always a chance with her early pace. She has been really nice lately.” Brendon Cole.
Springston Hotel NZ Cup heat 5 (M10 R1)
1 Blazin’ Master ($11 & $2.90): This fella just doesn’t know how to run a bad race as evidenced by his current winning streak, including his bold 30.25 Friday Hatrick 520m win.
“Drawing box-1 is a big help for him. Look, he knows what he has to do despite him getting on in age. This dog still has what it takes as we’re still seeing.” Brendon Cole.
4 One Hot Bandit ($3.50 & $1.35): He crosses the Tasman with a huge Australian reputation. He warmed up for his NZ race debut by running his slick recent 16.73 295m trial here.
“I don’t know a lot about the dog, however he has settled in here really good. I was pleased with his recent trial. He’s a strong dog.” Dave Fahey.
Suck It Up Galaxy Sprint
The straight out speed merchants contested 10 heats for their $40,000 Suck It Up Galaxy Sprint over the 295m dash last Thursday. The sprinters now move into four-semifinals with the first two finishers’ advancing to the Group 1 final.
Again we speak to the Dave and Jean Fahey and Lisa Cole kennels for their thoughts about their semifinal contenders, along with their respective updated TAB Futures (All In) market quotes.
Suck It Up Galaxy Sprint semi 1 (M9, R1)
5 Jerry Cola ($3 & $1.40): He lowered his own 295m track record for the third time by flying through his heat in a slippery 16.53. He’s absolutely low-flying.
“Yes, he’s going really super at the moment. Hopefully he keeps it up here, although I’m worried about Opawa Barnes (7) coming down on him.” Dave Fahey.
8 Sun Strike ($101 & $21): She’s racing from the eight-trap for the first time. She must make a flyer after her sub 17-second heat second placing.
“She is suited by her wide draw and she can slip around the outer.” Dave Fahey.
4 Writ Large ($61 & $13): She’s a likely improver following her solid track debut heat 295m second. She owns pace and strength.
“That was a good run from Writ Large in her heat. If she begins good, she’s strong enough to be right in it (finish).”Brendon Cole.
Suck It Up Galaxy Sprint semi 2 (M9, R2)
2 Opawa Mocha ($4 & $1.60): He maintained his career ten-race unbeaten record when skipping through his 295m heat in a smart 16.56. He’s getting better.
“He keeps on surprising us. He does have a lot of pace, although he does tend to run out from the boxes.” Dave Fahey.
8 Very Rarely ($21 & $5): Posted a solid heat effort and drawing out wide has assisted his advancement claims here.
“That’s not a bad draw for him. If he jumps away with them then, yes he’s a chance of qualifying. Dave Fahey.
6 Space Conspiracy - scratched
Suck It Up Galaxy Sprint semi 3 (M9, R3)
1 Opawa Marsh ($5 & $1.80): He has won all 12 of his 295m sprints and he’s drawn to maintain that impressive record after his 17.14 heat win.
“He keeps on winning and I guess that’s what count. He does run a bit wide from the traps.” Dave Fahey.
7 Wild Pansy ($16 & $4): She enjoys racing from the wider traps and she’s presented with swooping claims from out there.
“That’s a nice draw for her and she’s likely to push forward from there.” Dave Fahey.
4 Big Time Atlas ($31 & $7): He was sound when chasing gamely after Opawa Mocha in his heat. He needs to get himself straight onto the early pace.
“He is his own biggest enemy at the start. He is fast and he is capable, but it’ll come down to what he does at the start.” Brendon Cole.
Suck It Up Galaxy Sprint semi 4 (M9, R4)
4 Who Gives ($61 & $13): He extended strongly during the run home to secure his 16.91 heat win. He’s a consistent sprinter over this dash.
“He has overcome a set back and he’s done really good to make it this far.” Dave Fahey.
7 Opawa Ryder ($18 & $4.40): He won this final two-years ago and he remains a competitive force at this venue. He enjoys racing from the wider traps.
“He’s drawn to suit out wide and he’s a chance owing to that. We are happy with all of our team going into Wednesday.” Dave Fahey.
6 Midnight Brockie ($101 & $21): She sneaked into the semis by being one of the quickest fourth place heat finishers when having her first crack at 295m sprinting here
“That was a good little run by her in her heat. She has speed, but realistically she’s racing for luck.” Brendon Cole.
The meeting also features two heats for the Gr. 1 $40,000 Rose & Thistle New Zealand Stayers Cup over the 732m distance (M9 R5 & 6).
The first heat presents the mouth-watering clash between the Bob Pringle trained current NZ Stayers cup title holder Grande Vue Ace and the 2024 NZ Stayer of the Year Chief Dribble from the Matt Roberts kennels.
The proven 732m stayers Know Defence for Garry Cleeve and the Dan Roberts prepared Opawa Corban match paws against each other in the second heat.
Photograph at the top of the Page: NZ Cup contender Opawa Hugo delivering his Addington 29.86 525m track record. Credit: Dave Robbie
