It certainly was an appropriate racing name that was given to the Dave and Jean Fahey prepared greyhound He’s All Power. He was precisely that when he powered to his Plasterboard Auckland Cup victory on Sunday.
Pictured: He’s All Power with his Auckland Cup
He’s All Power hinted at what was to come seven days earlier when he came from what appeared to be a hopeless early field position to storm home to nail his Auckland Cup heat win. In a pre-final interview co-trainer Dave Fahey suggested that his charge would have benefited from his first look at the Manukau 527m trip during his heat assignment. He thought that He’s All Power would place himself handier to the early pace during the $80,000 decider at Group 1 level. He was spot on with his thoughts.
It was very apparent when the field entered the back straight during the final that He’s All Power was perfectly positioned to unleash his known powerful finish. Unleash he did which saw the Australian owned greyhound assert his authority over his rivals to power away for his Group 1 victory. The winning margin was credited at a comfortable four length margin, while he completed his 527m task in 30.48s.
The minor placings was occupied by greyhounds who, although not favoured on the tote, had hinted during their prior sound heat efforts they certainly had the ability to secure a podium position. They were required to get themselves handy onto the early pace to achieve that and that was exactly what both Paul Dozer and Belcroft Banker did when they placed themselves at the sharp end of the field when heading into the first turn.
The Angela Turnwald prepared Paul Dozer maintained a solid gallop down the back straight. He was rewarded for using his smart on the pace racing tactic by securing the $19,500 runners-up prize. Keep a close eye on this bloke’s immediate racing engagements, especially if he can secure a straight C4 field to line up against.
Henny Laagland stated pre-race that she considered it an absolute honour to have qualified Belcroft Banker for the Auckland Cup. Both her and husband Leo, plus a loyal band of kennel supporters were rewarded when their home bred son of Magic Sprite and Kitty’s Thunder ran the race of his career when he bravely stuck to his task to claim his Group 1 third placing a further 1.25 lengths behind.
Not only did Belcroft Banker bank his biggest career stake ($11,700) with his placing, but he also provided Laagland with an additional $1,000 being the bonus NZ Breeders’ payment which is paid to the breeder of the first NZ Bred greyhound to finish in the Group 1 event.
Jean Fahey being presented with the Auckland Cup by Plasterboard Ltd principle Roy Thomson; Courtney Turnwald with the Auckland Cup runner-up Paul Dozer; Henny Laagland with her third place finisher Belcroft Banker, along with handler Alan Gamble and kennel supporter Larry
There was an early sensation when a stride or two from the 527m traps the warm race favourite Thrilling Boris (box two) tangled up with Zipping Jordan (box one) with the later only just staying on her paws when she stumbled. That terminated any claims this pair of warmly supported runners held (refer to the meeting stipes report).
“He’s All Power was sent over to us for Restricted Age racing. He trialled fairly average when he arrived here. It wasn’t until after his second Addington win (520m in 30.24s) when Dave recognised he was Group race potential. It was after that when the Auckland Cup, which wasn’t planned, became a possible target.
“I didn’t really want to look when they went into the first turn – I closed my eyes, expecting trouble. When I looked for him going into the back straight and he was in third, I then started thinking this should be our race, knowing how strong he is. It was a big thrill to see him getting up to win the cup,” advised Jean Fahey.
She added. “I was really excited for Henny when Belcroft Banker made the podium. She proved that a Group race placing can be achieved with locally bred greyhounds. We also wish to thank He’s All Power’s owners who have trusted us with their dogs. Apart from text messages we don’t have a lot of contact with his owners. We are also really appreciate Calum (Weir) and May (Cutler) for bringing our two dogs up north with them (kennelmate Majestic Action ran fourth in the Cup).”
It is a strong looking relationship that the Fahey’s are forming with the owing Whittington Sprog partnership. As mentioned in the Railway Sprint review which saw Calum Weir train the Galaxy Sprint and Railway Sprint Group 1 double, it also was a similar Group 1 training double for the Fahey’s and Whittington Sprog who combined to enjoy success with American Warrior, the winner of the $100,000 New Zealand Cup. The New Zealand Derby (Cambridge, April 13) is now the next major target for He’s All Power.
Jean Fahey with He’s All Power; the Auckland GRC presented all Auckland Cup and Railways finalists with an inscribed collar and lead – Karen Thomson is seen here with Jean Fahey; it was an enjoyable afternoon get together for Jean Fahey, who was joined by her parents Marie and David Matheson, along with niece Joeleene Chapman
