Fast-paced heats loom in the deep south
Peter Fenemor • December 8th, 2025 9:39 AM • 3 min read
Black type racing highlights this afternoon’s meeting at Ascot Park with a pair of 457m heats for the December 17 $20,000 Far South Challenge at Group Two level.
“That was a strong win by him last week and he has pulled up good from that. He has good early acceleration which he must use,” advised Fahey about his charge who will be sighted wearing the TAB 3 rug.
Canterbury conditioner Craig Roberts is heading south with Paw Earnest who was solid in his 2.80 length track debut third to Original Warrior last week.“I was happy with his run last week and I expect him to have benefited following that. He’s capable of jumping onto the pace and he’ll be right in the finish if doing so,” suggested Roberts.
Others in the heat who hold sound advancement claims includes the Matt Roberts and Jack Johnson prepared Romantic Rebel, while Stuck Throttle is a competitive chaser at this level for his mentor Garry Cleeve.The slick greyhound Jerry Cola is the class act in the second heat (Race 10) for Fahey and Wyllie.The current NZ Bred Greyhound of the Year blasted through his 390m warmup assignment last week when he lowered the Ascot Park 390m track record when delivering his slick 21.83 sprint.
“He’s flying at the moment. He needs to build an early lead from that trap (6) to hold out the strong finishers in the field,” said Fahey about the current NZ Derby (457m) title holder.
The recent NZ Cup finalist Opawa Hass is sound back up contender for Fahey and Wyllie. It took the strength of Paw Gunner to run him down over 525m last week. He races from the TAB 3 trap here.“He’s making his track debut down there. He has got early pace, and his draw can help him to contest the pace,” said Fahey.
Roberts will load away last week’s Addington 30.15 525m winner Paw Gunner into the eight-trap, while he has Paw Xian racing from trap-seven following his solid quarter-length second to Original Warrior last Wednesday.“Drawing the eight provides Paw Gunner with an opportunity to power up. He won’t crash across, so I expect him to receive clear racing room.
“Paw Xian loves it down there and a repeat of his 25.85 457m win two races ago takes him close in this race. He was taking ground away from Original Warrior last week,” confirmed Roberts.
Two heats for the girls will also decide the finalists for next weeks $10,000 Bitches Sprint Feature over the 390m dash.
The Fahey/Wyllie combination provide the favoured runners in both heats with the inform Opawa April securing her preferred trap eight draw in the first heat (Race 7).“Her draw is perfect for her, receiving the opportunity for her to push around the outer,” commented Fahey about the sprinter who has won 13 of her 19 races while wearing the pink racing vest.
Roberts will be represented by Karen Jewel, who frustratingly continues to draw midfield traps (6) as her trainer explains.“She just can’t get a decent draw, which means her race will be decided at the start. She’s wee girl who has a big heart and she always gives her best.”.
Roberts sons potentially hold the key to the sprint. Dan is lining up the pacey From Now On, while Matt, who trains in partnership with Jack Johnson, has Bubbles Tonight hopping away from the five trap. It’s worth noting that this girl has won all five of her Ascot Park 390m sprints, the quickest in 22.47.Opawa Bubbles, the 22.63 winner of her only 390m sprint on Ascot Park, lines up for Fahey and Wyllie in the second heat (Race 9).“She has jumped better in her latest races. It’s important that she does so again (from 6),” said Fahey.
Bethany Jewel and Mercedes Jewel will race for Roberts in this heat. “There isn’t much between them. Both of them are honest campaigners as usual they haven’t drawn the best and it’s likely it will come down to the start,” suggested Roberts.Again, Dan Roberts has a strong heat contender in Unhinged Rhino, who is racing in the TAB 3 vest.The December 17 Southland GRC meeting will also include the Gr. 2 $20,000 Galway Cup for the stayers over the 630m distance.
