Final NZ Group for the season to be decided this afternoon
Peter Fenemor • July 30th, 2025 9:53 AM • 4 min read
The final Group race for the 2024/25 season will be contested on Ascot Park this afternoon, with the Group 2 $20,000 Colin Keen Memorial (Race 10) being decided over 457m.
The Otago GRC hosted meeting remembers a pair of long serving administrators. Colin Keen was very active both at regional and national levels, while the former Otago committee member Mark Thompson will be remembered with the running of the $10,000 Mark Thompson Memorial Dunedin Cup Sprint (Race 8) over the 390m dash.
The potent Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie training partnership travel south with strong winning contenders in both events.
The pacey litter brothers Jerry Cola ($3.70 & $1.45 – TAB Fixed) and Boldly Go ($3.50 & $1.45) will conclude a successful season in the Colin Keen Memorial.
Jerry Cola thrives when racing over 457m as seen by his Group race wins in the New Zealand Derby and North Island Challenge Stakes over 457m. Expect to see him powering up from the eight-trap.
Boldly Go owns volumes of early pace as seen by his bold recent Addington 525m races and he can use that pace to clear trap-five.
“I feel Jerry Cola should get clear air from out there. He has been impressive in his latest Addington sprints, and he has a pretty good record over the 457m distance.
“I’m comfortable about Boldy Go’s draw as he’s a reliable beginner. He would probably be better closer to the rail; however, he is a hard chaser who is racing really good,” advised Fahey.
Stuck Throttle ($6 & $1.90) and Zestful ($7.50 & $2.15) are two Garry Cleeve prepared litter brothers are wrapping up a successful season. Stuck Throttle has been the runner-up in three Group 1 races and travels south as a last start Manawatu 25.89 457m winner.
Zestful was the stylish last start Group 2 Canterbury Futurity winner over 525m, when running down Boldly Go by a length.
“Yes, Stuck Throttle’s win was a confidence booster for him and his trainer. It was nice to see him bounce back. He has been thereabouts all season and win here will top off a good season for him. I’m looking forward to the race.
“Zestful has come through everything very good. I’m not sure how he will handle his draw (seven). I know he can capitalize on any mistakes any of the others may make,” commented Cleeve.
Craig Roberts also supplies two runners, being represented by the strong chaser Paw Bradley ($4.80 & $1.65), who will wear the TAB 3 rug and the trap-one drawn Sinead Bale ($10 & $2.60).
Paw Bradley has been striking early traffic problems in his recent 525m races. There’s no denying his immense power at the business end of his races and he can finish over the top of his rivals if he doesn’t get an early touch up.
“It’s a matter of how handy Paw Bradley gets when racing into the first turn, providing the others don’t get him early. I reckon the big, long straight will help him and he’s a good chance owing to his strength in the run home.
“Hopefully Sinead Bale’s draw will help her, and the others don’t come down on her. She must ping away. She’s all good going into the race,” advised Roberts.
Mark Thompson Memorial Dunedin Cup Sprint
Again, it is the Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie combination who will line up the favoured runners in the $10,000 Mark Thompson Memorial Dunedin Cup Sprint.
The sharp sprinter Everest Sky ($3.50 & $1.35) was cut back by race rival Diamond Raider in his 295m sprint at Addington last week. He brings sound 390m track form into this dash and the Group 1 318m winner can beat his trap-five draw here.
“Everest Sky is racing good, and he should be right in the finish providing he gets away cleanly,” advised Fahey.
Opawa Mocha ($3.20 & $1.30) has endured traffic impeded recent Addington 295m sprints. The winner of 24 sprints during the season brings excellent trap-seven form into this sprint.
“He hasn’t had a lot of racing luck lately. He can get up to contest the pace and he can feature by doing that. Both of our sprinters are capable of winning the race,” suggested Fahey
Malcolm Grant has his sprinter Diamond Raider ($3.80 & $1.40) ticking over sweetly at the moment as seen by his quick Thursday 16.72 295m win. He is a proven sprinter at this venue, and he owns the field best 22.15 390m time. He will carry the TAB 3 rug in this sprint.
“Diamond Ranger has finally got a good draw, and I really like him from there. He just has to dodge early traffic and if he makes a fair beginning, he can be right up there in the finish,” said Grant.
True Ability ($6 & $1.75) is poised to slingshot his rivals from the eight trap here. He has been contesting recent 525m races, however his conditioner Garry Cleeve informs us that the drop back to sprinting isn’t likely to faze his charge.,
“I’m happy to see him going around in a sprint and I’m happy with his draw. I believe he can swoop on them when going into the first turn and he’s strong enough to run out the race out strongly,” explained Cleeve.
Claws In Zorro ($6.50 & $1.80) has compiled a respectable 457m record on this track as seen by his 14 wins. He placed in his only 390m sprint here and his trainer Matt Roberts says he ready for a bold sprint.
“I’m keeping him in a fresh state as he does have pace. He’s definitely capable of taking the race out – he loves the track down there. He just has to do everything right early on.”
