The Kiwi bred stayers chase after breeders’ bonus payments for their respective breeders in Thursday’s Nina’s Girl $11,000 NZRS Distance final over the 732m trip at the Addington Raceway.
Pictured: Can’t Catch Tim winning the Group 1 NZ Stayers Cup (pic Dave Robbie).
The 732m staying credentials that the Ray Adcock prepared Can’t Catch Tim brings into this event cannot be questioned. After all, this son of Bit Chili and Nina’s Girl has won five of his six races over Addington’s longest race distance, which includes the NZ Stayers Cup at Group 1 level last July. He then went onto claim the Group 2 Kingston Cup in September. On both occasions he led home the best available stayers from around the country.
Therefore it came as a major shock to see Can’t Catch Tim drop back through the field to finish last in last week’s 645m lead up outing. Yes, he was fresh up after last being presented over 747m in late December, however as we all know that just wasn’t Tim. The explanation for that performance is provided here by his mentor. “Tim injured a shoulder when he was working at home which led to him missing lead up work. He is a very hard dog to get a gauge on as he has always been a full on dog around the kennels. In essence, he wasn’t fit enough last week. He has been worked on since and he will strip a much fitter dog on Thursday after last week’s race. The other thing to remember is that in the past he has required a lead up race for his staying events.”
Local trainers Steve and Bonnie Evans are accumulating some useful stayers in their kennels. They have accepted with three stayers here. Goldstar Jagger, who was a Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar finalist last year, unwound strongly to claim his 38.58s 645m win last Thursday. It was a tidy staying effort by this son of Know Peace and Forever Loyal as he had settled in the rear group during the early rush. He has placed in two of his three 732m assignments.
His kennel mate and litter brother Goldstar Dallas also produced a solid finish from the midfield pack to finish 5.5 lengths behind his brother. This will be the first occasion he has contested the extreme journey at this venue. Goldstar Coco is a half-sister to her kennel mates being by Scotexcited. She set the pace for a long way over 645m before being claimed by a 3.5 length margin by Goldstar Jagger. Being allocated the one-trap to step from on Thursday suggests that she looms as the likely pace setter again.
Gary Cleeve requires no introduction regarding the staying attributes of his canine distance greyhounds. He is lining up Know Worth, plus he also has Know Jinx sitting as the only reserve now. Know Worth raced in the rear group for the greater majority of his 645m outing last week from where he made a late dab for his fifth placing. That suggests this son of Scotexcited and Know Spirit is now looking for the 732m trip now. Know Jinx is a daughter of Yella Mustard and Know Which, who will having her first attempt over any staying distance if she’s required to race here.
Opawa Hope will represent the Dave and Jean Fahey kennels who impressed when she delivered her strong 38.37s December 22 645m win, which was her first taste of racing over ground. This daughter of Winsome Opawa and Opawa Andrea led home her race rival here Goldstar Jagger by 4.5 lengths then, indicating that staying events is now likely to be her forte.
Long Stockings owns 732m staying experience having placed in one of her two races over the trip for her trainer Ashley Bradshaw. She is a litter sister to Can’t Catch Tim who endured a luckless 645m leading outing last week when she was denied racing room. She is provided with the opportunity of being able to push forward during the early rush after hopping away from trap eight here.
The John McInerney trained first reserve Luciastar gets a race from the two trap following the withdrawal of Heritage Watch. This son of Sergio and Homebush Iris completed her preparation for Thursday when he stormed home from the rear group to claim his four length Ascot Park 457m third on Tuesday. His previous staying assignments has yielded him a 630m third placing, while he missed in his 645m outing.
Christchurch NZRS Distance finalists (from left): Goldstar Jagger, Know Worth, Long Stockings - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
Pawnote: The winner of last year’s version of this NZRS Distance final Shandell obviously isn’t returning to defend her title. Her trainer Arch Lawrence explains why he has elected to keep both her and her litter sister Teemaria at home. “Teemaria really stressed out with the travel owing to extreme heat last year. I didn’t want to risk that happening again, plus also it’s a considerably longer road trip now. There’s a number of staying races coming up shortly, so I’ll aim my stayers towards them.”
Shandell is nicely placed to achieve an outstanding personal milestone during the Waikato Thursday afternoon meeting. She is lining up in the race 10 650m event and a first three race placing will see the current NZ Stayer of the Year break through the $200,000 stakes earning barrier.
By Peter Fenemor
