Peter Fenemor: Hugely successful Commentators Day
Peter Fenemor • March 20th, 2025 10:11 AM • 5 min read
Hugely successful Commentators Day
It was another hugely successful Commentators Day at the Manawatu Raceway last Monday.
The nation’s commentators gathered on St Patrick’s Day to deliver their respective commentaries in their usual professional manner.
The Palmerston North GRC are renowned for their innovative activities and all reports say it was again a fun-filled afternoon.
The meeting was supported by trainers from throughout the country, attracting strong fields throughout the 12 race card
“It was a great afternoon with 300 plus people creating a great atmosphere throughout the meeting.
“The key to the success of the meeting was the great support we got from key kennels with key greyhounds from around the country who were chasing after enhanced stake-money.
“The punters club, led by Craig Rendle, was a great success – actually Matty Cross anointed him as ‘Sir Rendle’,” advised Palmerston North President Paul Freeman, who confirmed the festivities continued on until rather late in the evening.
The main event on the day was the open-class 457m event with Trackside presenter Blake Stothart, who was the mystery caller, stylishly handling his first-ever race commentary when calling home the Craig Roberts mentored current Addington 29.50 525m track record holder Paw Bradley to his impressive 25.81 win.
“Blake had no idea he was calling a race when he arrived on-course. He did a fantastic job,” commented Freeman.
Unquestionably the most popular win during the afternoon was secured by the Wayne Morris trained Simon Templar, who was excitably called to his 25.96 C3 457m victory by one his co-owners Dan Fogarty.
Also included amongst Simon Templar’s large group of the Saint & Sinners syndicate owning members who were present on-course were commentators Pip Morris, Mark Rosanowski, Aaron White along with Trackside commentators coordinator Maryanne Twentyman.
It was also an emotional victory following the sad recent passing of Simon Templar’s trainer Carol Morris. Simon Templar has won his last three races.
It was Pip Morris who called home the 500th winner for the current season from the powerful locally based Lisa Cole kennels with Johnny Football delivering his potent 38.08 660m win.
And it was Andrew Lacy who dressed himself up as Monday’s resident Leprechaun!
Freeman confirmed that the fifth annual Commentators Day will go ahead next year.
“Hundred percent we’re going again next year. The key to the meeting is getting the right date and I acknowledge the support we got from Edward Rennell (GNZ CEO) in securing the right St Patrick’s Day date.
“We have to secure the right stand-alone date so we can maximize promotional opportunities.”
As George Simon would say – “Let’s bring it on”!
Classy Straight Track racing Friday
Friday afternoon sees three heats for the Betcha Straight Up Dash being contested over the 313m sprint with the $20,000 final being decided the following Friday afternoon.
First up (Race 1) sees the current Lisa Cole prepared 16.87 313m track record holder Big Time Proof. He has proven to be a lethal chaser on the straight track, winning nine of his 12 races (three minors) there.
The Pahiatua based kennels run by Wayne Morris has been enjoying considerable recent straight track success.
The other C5 assessed heat runner is the Jamie Pruden trained Thrilling Carlos who placed in his only previous 313m sprint.
It was a winning New Zealand debut for the Cole trained Mario Wave when he won up the straight in 17.15 two-weeks ago. The Richmond (NSW) 324m straight track winner takes his place in heat 2 (Race 2)
Kennelmate Big Time Corey is a consistent 313m sprinter holding a 17.15 best time, while other C5 sprinters in the field are the 16.89 313m winner Loveable Rogue for Pruden and the Morris trained King Harvest.
Bolt Wave is another former New South Wales chaser who is making his Kiwi race debut from the Cole kennels in the third heat (Race 3). He is graded at C5 level and recently trialed at this venue, clocking 17.50.
Need A Favour has raced generously up the straight for Cole, while his promising kennelmate Big Time Ashton adds interest to the field after winning five of his six career races.
Bow Anna brings the field best 17.18 313m time into this race for Pruden, while the Canterbury, Matt Roberts trained Smoking Ivan adds the intrigue factor to this event.
Run Away Blue is thriving racing on the straight track for Morris as seen by her five wins and eight placings from her 16 313m races.
Friday’s Whanganui racing continues on the Hatrick circle track with the first 520m event being dispatched at 6.22pm.
Group racing also features at Hatrick next Friday when the $30,000 Hatrick Classic will be contested
Picture at the Top of the Page: The nation’s commentators who assembled for the fourth edition of Commentators Day in Palmerston North on Monday. Credit: Palmerston North GRC
