Hot Group race qualifying action at Addington
Peter Fenemor • November 5th, 2025 11:24 AM • 4 min read
It’s crunch time for the elite canine athletes this evening at the Addington Raceway where final field places for two November 13 Group 1 races will be decided.
Four 525m heats will decide the final line-up for the $100,000 Springston Hotel New Zealand Cup.
Dave and Jean Fahey have applied the finishing touches to 11 previous NZ Cup winners. On this occasion it’s the red-hot Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie training partnership seeking to extend that record for the inform Balcairn-based kennels.
Local conditioner Craig Roberts has the paw power in his kennels to annex another NZ Cup.
Both kennels kindly took time out from their busy schedules to update us on their contenders.
The first NZ Cup heat (M10 Race 1) sees the series favourite Paw Bradley ($1.80 & $1.12 TAB Fixed - $5.50 & $2.35 – TAB Futures) racing from the ace-trap.
“At last, he’s got a decent draw (1). The key will be for him to get a clear run around the first turn, then use his strength when going down the back straight. He needed last week’s race and he’s all set to go,” confirmed Roberts about the current 29.50 Addington 525m track record holder.
Taieri Gout ($4.80 & $1.45 - $14 & $4.50) is the Fahey/Wyllie rep in this heat. “He has to lead them out to have any chance of qualifying,” suggested Fahey.
Heat 2 (M10 Race 2) sees Roberts lining up Paw Earnest ($2.20 & $1.24 - $8 & $2.75) and Sinead Bale ($12 & $2.45 - $51 & $13.50):
“Paw Earnest showed what he can do last week (29.89 525m win). I expect him to run a similar type of race,” advised Roberts.
“Sinead Bale does everything right and she’s a decent qualifying chance providing she plonks herself onto the early pace,” said Roberts
Fahey and Wyllie are also lining up two heat runners here. “Opawa Hass ($3.80 & $1.50 - $12 & $3.75) has early pace and he’s a qualifying chance if he uses that pace.
“Somehow Anglers Arms ($8.50 & $2.10 - $26 & $7.25) has to lead them out from out there (8),” explained Fahey.
The Roberts prepared Paw Kilter has been scratched from the third heat (M10 Race 3).
“Therapy Tex ($10 & $2.05 - $51 & $13.50) will need some early luck. If he’s on-the-pace, then yes, he’s a qualifying chance,” suggested Fahey.
“I’m still looking for the real Paw Gunner. He has immense ability however he’s had some issues. If the real Paw Gunner turns up nothing will touch him,” stated Roberts.
Original Warrior ($2.45 & $1.24 - $7 & $2.60) is a previous Group 1 525m winner around this circuit who is resuming from a spell.
“He’s probably our best qualifying chance, although he’s a wee bit underdone. Hopefully his class will pull him through,” said Fahey about the smart last week’s 16. 70 295m trialist.
Sheer pace abounds in Galaxy Sprint semifinals
The pace will be fast and furious in this evenings four 295m semifinals for The Homekill Guys Galaxy Sprint.
Eight heats held last Thursday sees 32 speed merchants assembling at the Addington Raceway this evening with a top two finish required to secure a place in the November 13 $40,000 Group 1 final.
The Dave Fahey and Katie Wyllie training partnership are in rarified air at the moment, churning out winner after winner. A glance at their current 0.5804 UDR strike rate figure clearly illustrates their current training potency.
Dave Fahey took time out to provide his thoughts on the six sharp sprinters racing in this evening’s semifinals, starting with the Group 1 winner Everest Sky (M9 Race 7).
“Everest Sky ($1.85 & $1.16 - $8 & $2.75) is always thereabouts. He keeps on delivering strong sprints and his draw (6) suits him.”
The Roberts kennel is represented by Hadwin Bale ($7 & $1.85 - $31 & $8.50): “He isn’t jumping as quickly as he used to, however he’s strong and he’s competitive enough to qualify,” hinted Roberts.
The second semi (M9 Race 8) contains the sharp 16.50 295m heat winner Jerry Cola ($1.30 & $1.04 - $2 & $1.25) lining up for Fahey and Wyllie.
“Yes, he’s flying at the moment. My only concern is at the start where the first 50m is important. Once he balances up, he’s away,” advised Fahey, who added about Opawa April ($4 & $1.30 - $16 & $4.75): “She’s sprinting really good at the moment, and she likes her draw (8).”
“Dingo Knight ($1.70 & $1.12 - $6 & $2.25): is a real professional Addington sprinter whose early pace keeps him competitive.
“Opawa Bubbles ($8.50 & $1.95 - $51 & $13.50) is fast, however she needs to jump better to put herself into contention,” said Fahey about their third semifinal (M9 Race 9) contenders.
Roberts has the sharp sprinter Paw Xian ($4.50 & $1.50 - $14 & $4.25) racing in this semifinal.
“I was rapt with his heat run last week. He has really come into his own lately and he’s ready for another bold sprint,” said Roberts.
The last semi (M9 Race 10) has the low flying Opawa Mocha ($1.75 & $1.14 - $6 & $2.25) wearing the pink racing vest for Fahey and Wyllie.
“He is sprinting super at the moment, and he’s drawn to keep his form up,” commented Fahey.
The box draws for both Group 1 finals, plus the $40,000 Rose & Thistle New Zealand Stayers Cup will be conducted tomorrow.
