Group 2 racing features during tomorrows Ascot Park meeting
Peter Fenemor • May 20th, 2025 3:26 PM • 4 min read
The $20,000 Far South Challenge (Race 10) is being rerun tomorrow afternoon over 457m after the initial running of the Group 2 race in December was abandoned owing to a lure breakdown.
Headlining the 457m field is the current hot greyhound Jerry Cola. His conditioners Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie travelled south last week with the current NZ Derby (457m) title holder to give him a refresher look at the world’s southern-most located greyhound track.
He came away with his smart 22.21 390m win, making it six-wins in a row. His 457m record on the big, sweeping track is three wins from as many races with the quickest being delivered in a field best 25.57 time.
He has drawn in the tricky five-trap, however his co-trainer Wyllie doesn’t think that will faze him.
“I don’t think his draw will be an issue for him especially if uses his box speed. Yes, it is a good competitive field.”
Kennelmate Opawa Marsh was involved in the no-race and he returns south following his recent competitive Addington 295m sprints. He has also proven to be competitive over 457m at this venue.
“Marsh’s race last week (295m) was huge. I expect him to be seen running on, hopefully he puts himself into the race early.
“Hopefully both of them bring their A game down with them – they are super well, bouncing of the walls at home. They are full of themselves,” advised Wyllie.
Matty Roberts has been cleaning up the recent Ascot Park 457m races with his track specialist Claws In Zorro.
He added his 14th Ascot Park 457m win (from 18 races) last Wednesday when he produced his 25.70 gallop. He was also involved in the abandoned race.
“The key for him will be to lead early, and to be frank that looks to be a difficult task with the speed that is drawn inside him. In saying that, if he’s handy to them on the turn, then yes he will make it very interesting,” commented Roberts about his trap-seven drawn charge.
Roberts bookends the field having accepted with another two contenders. Let Him Cook will jump from the one-trap, while Romantic Rebel will exit from trap-eight.
“That’s a pretty good box for Let Him Cook. On his day he can keep up with Jerry Cola and hopefully he uses his draw and races handy to the pace. Ability wise he can do that.
“I don’t mind the draw for Romantic Rebel. If he does everything right, then yes he can be competitive against those other dogs. All three of my dogs are ready for Wednesday,” confirmed Roberts.
The depth of the overall field is strong with Garry Cleeve heading south with his pair of proven chasers at this level.
Stuck Throttle has been mixing it up against strong recent Addington 525m fields. He will be sighted wearing the TAB 3 rug as he attempts to secure his first Ascot Park 457m win after recording five-placings from his six-races around the circuit.
Kennelmate Zestful was part of December’s no-race and he ventures south with a pair of 457m wins at this track listed in his form. He gamely chased the low-flying Paw Bradley home in his last 525m assignment.
The drawn field is completed by the Johnathon McInerney prepared Impressive Roar who was really bold when he pushed Claws In Zorro to a quarter-length margin last week. He owns early pace and using that asset from his handy two-trap draw can see him making things rather interesting.
The reserves are the Fahey and Wyllie trained Opawa Kyle along with Homebush Rock from the McInerney kennels.
